Cat love! How cuddling and patting makes you both well and happy.
Anyone who has a cat (or two) in their life knows they are capable of
great affection.
It’s been proven that a good cuddle or patting session with your cat is as good
for you, as it is for them. It boosts both your endorphins and your four-legged
friend will be calmer and less anti-social. Scientific studies have even proven
that the sonic frequency of a purring cat can actually alleviate your
physical pain!
Understanding Cat Behaviour
Unfortunately, cats have a bit of a reputation for being aloof and at times downright unfriendly. While it’s true they are not usually bounding towards you and jumping all over you like a dog, cats have a unique way of showing their humans how much they like them and some would argue, even love them.
Signs of cat affection and cat happiness
There are lots of signs your cat loves you and is happy. Some cat signs of affection are obvious, like purring and others not so obvious. Here’s a few things to look for:
Meow. Did you know that cats don’t meow at other cats? This is your cat ‘talking to you’. Along with purring this is a sure sign your cat is communicating.
Greeting you. Does your cat ‘appear’ when you come home? Possibly greeting you at the door? They missed you. They’re glad you’re back.
Blinking at you. This is a bit like a cat kiss. Go ahead, blink back. They like it. And if your cat is staring at you, it means it really likes you and it could look at you all day! It’s true cat love.
How to cure a ‘scaredy cat’
Cats are territorial and can often be attached only to their owners. Some are just not that keen on strangers in their midst. If you want your cat to be more social, you need to teach them that other people are no threat. It’s easier of course with kittens, but even with an older cat, the more you socialise them with visitors, the less uncomfortable they’ll be. By holding them and allowing friends to pat them in a calm manner they’ll get used to affection from other people and start to relax around humans different to their own. You could also encourage more social cat behaviour by allowing your visitors to give your cat a treat. Food is sometimes the fastest way to the feline heart! But, sometimes the best thing is to just be as calm around them as possible and let their natural curiosity take over. When they sense there is no threat, they’ll come out from under the couch…eventually (maybe!).
Good cats sometimes display bad behaviour
If your cat brings a mouse, rat, lizard or any other kind of ‘gift’ to you it’s actually a great sign of cat affection. Sure, finding a dead rodent in your shoe isn’t ideal, but don’t forget for a cat this is like going to the store and buying you something nice! But if your cat is actually behaving badly; urinating in places it shouldn’t, scratching furniture or scratching or biting you or your visitors there is something you can do.
Moving the litter tray
If your cat has decided to use your carpet as a toilet the simple solution is to put a litter tray in that spot. Cats instinctively want to bury their waste and they’ll soon decide that the litter tray is a much better place to do their business. Once they’ve been reminded of this, you can slowly move the tray back to the appropriate place – it might have to be a gradual move, but eventually your cat will forget about the carpet and use the tray.
Scratching and other destructive cat behaviour
When a cat becomes destructive it might be time to get another cat. Not a replacement, but a companion. While it might take a little while for the cats to get used to each other, they will eventually learn to play with each other and many owners are relieved to find their furniture is all the better for it. If you can’t get a companion cat, then it’s up to you to be the playmate.Cats love to pounce and catch, so a bit of string, a small ball or any other cat toy you can make or buy will be fun for you both to play with. If your cat still insists on scratching the furniture, a cat pole can work wonders. Simply catch your cat in the act of scratching and put them on the pole. They’ll learn that they can scratch away uninterrupted and be much happier having their own space to do it.
Is your cat being weird, or weirder than normal?
Cats are definitely quirky creatures. It’s why we love them. But if
you’re noticing anything particularly strange about your cat’s behaviour it
could be the result of an allergy. Coughing, wheezing or sneezing is a sure
sign there’s something wrong. Red eyes are another way to tell if your cat
is reacting badly to something. The first thing to do is
eliminate any food with unnatural additives. Try to ensure the food you buy your cat is high in meat content and
isn’t bulked out with grain and nasty things like sodium (salt) or added
colours and flavours.
Of course if symptoms persist, see your vet.
Happy cat, happy owner
Lots of affection, plenty of play time and a healthy diet makes for a happy cat. When your cat is cuddled up on your lap, purring happily, all is good with the world. Cat affection makes you happy and what makes you happy, makes you healthy. There’s nothing better than a bit of cat love for a happy life! How could you wish for a better pet?
