Co-existing tip #1 – Take your cue from your cat. Many times, us humans do not know when to stop petting. Usually your cat will instigate a petting session, but they can only put up with so much petting and become over stimulated. Since they cannot turn around and tell us to back off, they let us know in their own way that “enough is enough” 由 nipping at us. This does not indicate that they are being malicious, but rather that they need their own time-out from the petting. 由 cueing into their behavior moments before they nip, 你 can avoid their sharp little teeth. Tensing of the body, tail flicking, and even pinned back ears are all signs leading to the cat's nipping behavior.
Co-existing tip #2 – Stalking and pouncing are all part of a cat's innate nature. Hunting and stalking prey are ingrained in their genes. That is just what 猫 do. Don't take it personally when all of the sudden, out of nowhere, your cat decides 你 make for a fun plaything and pounce. Luckily for most cats, this playful aggression is just a phase that they eventually grow out of as they enter into their adult cat roles. It is up to 你 to know how to avoid conflict with your cat during these “playful” times. One way is to deflect this playful aggression away from 你 before it actually happens. Pay attention to where your cat is and learn the body cues that tell 你 when they are about to make their move. Another way is to divert their attention to another activity.
Co-existing tip #3 – Digging is another cat quirk ingrained in their genetic makeup. This quirk shows up predominately during bodily waste elimination. Just picture them in their litter box. They are always scratching around so that they can cover up their “evidence.” 猫 also dig for recreation and can make short work of your garden 或者 houseplants. It doesn't pay to get upset with what is usually normal behavior for a cat. Instead fight back with citrus products. 猫 absolutely hate any citrus smells – orange, grapefruit, lemons and limes. Bury the rinds from these fruits in the soil of your houseplants 或者 outside in your garden's perimeter.
Co-existing tip #4 – Scratching can be beneficial for cats. Using their claws offers up several benefits for cats. For one, scratching helps eliminate dead cells from the claws. Secondly, when 猫 claw on things, they are marking their territory, both in a visual and scented way. 猫 need a sense of their own domain and clawing helps your felines feel 更多 secure. Before scheduling surgery to remove their claws due to their destructive ways, 你 can help them 由 providing scratching posts and pads for their use. Use catnip as an incentive 由 rubbing it on the scratching post.
Co-existing tip #5 – All that meowing has a purpose. Sometimes, it seems that your cat's mission in life is to drive 你 up the 墙 with all their caterwauling. However, all that vocalizing is how they communicate. And since we are mere human beings, we just don't get what they are telling us. However, through a little trial and error, we can determine at least what some of that cat calling is all about. One of the reasons for the incessant meowing could be hunger 或者 boredom. If there is no 食物 in their bowl and it's close to 晚餐 time, put 食物 in their bowl. If they shut up and eat, 你 got lucky and figured out that particular meow. Other times, all that meowing could mean that your cat is ready to mate 或者 they are fearful of something. If there is a storm outside 或者 one is about to start, that might be a good indication of why your cat is meowing.
猫 are complex creatures and these five basic co-existing tips aren't even close to deciphering the moods and quirks of your feline. It could take a lifetime to figure it all out! However, just remember to take your cue from them and always assess a situation before administering punishment to your family feline.
