Category Archives: Cat Behavior

Why Do Cats Knock Things Over? Not Just Because It’s Fun!

Cat Behavior, Why Cats Knock Things Over
Why do cats insist on knocking things over? We have some good reasons for this. But we don’t do it just to annoy you! 
Why do cats knock things over?

Cats knock things over, but not just because it’s fun.

Why do cats knock things over, Thomasina? My cat is constantly swatting pictures and trinkets onto the floor.

— Annoyed

Hey, Annoyed!
I can see where constantly picking things up would get really tiresome. But your cat doesn’t mean to annoy you or be disrespectful. We just see things differently than you do, and sometimes cats knock things over because they’re in the way.

Your cat doesn’t realize your pictures and trinkets are arranged on a table because they look nice. If she wants to nap on the table, and they’re in her way, she’ll just push them aside. It doesn’t seem like a problem to her if they all land on the floor. 


Why Cats Knock Things Over

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When A Cat Has Separation Anxiety | Seven Ways To Help

Cat Behavior, Cat Has Separation Anxiety, Separation Anxiety

Are you concerned that your cat has separation anxiety? I’ve put together seven suggestions that will help her feel better.

What to do if your cat has separation anxiety

If your cat has separation anxiety, it might be caused by boredom.

I think my cat has separation anxiety, Thomasina. What can I do? She gets so anxious and depressed when I leave the house.

— Feeling Guilty

Hey, Feeling Guilty!

If your cat has separation anxiety, there are ways to help, so don’t feel guilty. After all, sometimes you really do have to leave the house!

This is just a theory on my part. But I think when a cat has separation anxiety it’s often because she’s bored. Being home all alone isn’t very interesting.

 


Signs That Your Cat Has Separation Anxiety

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How To Make Friends With A New Cat | Manners Matter

Cat Behavior, How To Make Friends With A New Cat

Are you trying to make friends with a new cat? Remember that cat manners matter a lot!

Manners matter when you want to make friends with a new cat.

Manners matter when making friends with a new cat.

How can I make friends with a new cat, Thomasina? I’d love to  become buddies with an indoor/outdoor cat in my neighborhood.
— Hopeful

Hi Hopeful…
I’m so glad you asked! So many humans have such bad manners when they try to make friends with a new cat. 

Like people, we really don’t like it when someone invades our personal space. And tromping up to a cat on the sidewalk and trying to put your hands all over him is a major invasion of his personal space. It’s also a good way to get scratched!


Manners Matter When You Want To Make Friends With A New Cat

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Do Cats Like Dogs? Are They Happy Living Together?

Cat Behavior, Cats And Dogs, Outside Cats

Do cats like dogs? Some of us do. Try these tips for bringing an outside cat in and introducing him to your dog.

Many cats like dogs.

Some cats like dogs enough to share a box with them.

Do cats like dogs, Thomasina? A cat has been living on my deck for months, and I’d like to invite him to come in. I don’t want him to hate living with my dog though.
— Maybe Future Cat Mom

Hey Future Cat Mom…
I’m so glad you asked before you brought the cat in! Yes, some cats like dogs. And some dogs like cats. It all depends on the personalities. 

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Why Do Cats Walk On People? They’re Not Being Rude

Cat Behavior, Why Cats Walk On People
Does your cat walk all over you? Despite what you may think when cats walk on people we’re not being rude!
Why do cats walk on people? Not because they're rude!

Why do cats walk on people? Not because they’re rude!

Why do cats walk on people, Thomasina? My cat walks across me like I’m not even there. He’s so rude!
— Stepped On

Hi Stepped On!
I don’t think your cat’s being rude. I walk across our human all the time! When my feet are wet, I sort of regret getting muddy paw prints all over her. But I guess that’s why humans have those noisy machines that wash their clothes. 

Cats walk on people because the people are in the way. Usually, when cats walk on people, they’re taking a shortcut. Strolling across your lap, or your back when you’re in bed, is a fast and efficient way of getting from point A to point B.


When Cats Walk On People, It’s All About Efficiency, Not Manners

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Five Reasons Why Your Cat Doesn’t Purr

Cat Behavior, Why Cats Don't Purr

If your cat doesn’t purr, don’t take it personally. I don’t either! Purring is a lot of work, and some of us think it’s just not worth it. And there are other reasons why some cats don’t purr, too.

Even if your cat doesn't purr, she shows affection in other ways.

Don’t take it personally if your cat doesn’t purr.

My cat doesn’t purr, Thomasina. Does that mean she doesn’t like me?
— Feeling Hurt

Hey, Feeling Hurt…
To be honest, I don’t purr either. Maybe your cat doesn’t purr, but I’ll bet she lets you know she loves you in other ways. Some of us just show affection differently. 

Our human can tell I love her by the look in my eyes and by the way I press my head into her hand when she touches me. Your cat might also show how much she loves you by rubbing against your hands, your face or your legs or kneading. 


Five Reasons Why Your Cat Doesn’t Purr

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The Best Cat Training Treats And Nine Ways To Use Them

Cat Behavior, Training Cats

What are the best cat training treats? That depends on the cat! You could train me to do almost anything with Shrimply Shrimp Temptations. Take it from me, once you find your cats’ favorite, treats are a great way to train and motivate them.

The best cat training Treats depend on the cat.

The best cat training treats depend on the cat!

What are the best cat training treats, Thomasina? I’d like to teach my cat to do tricks!

— Tricky Cat Mom


Hi Tricky Cat Mom…
I’d do almost anything for my fav Temptations treats, but jumping through hoops isn’t one of them! But if your cat’s more willing to cooperate than I am, teaching him tricks is one of the ways to use cat treats. I understand clicker training works really well, too. 


Nine Ways To Use Cat Treats

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Love That Loo | Why Cats Follow People Into The Bathroom

Cat Behavior, Cats And Bathrooms

Do you think it’s odd that cats follow people into the bathroom? Trust me. We have some very good reasons for doing that.

Cats have good reasons for following people into the bathroom.

Cats have good reasons for following people into the bathroom.

Why do cats follow people into the bathroom, Thomasina? I respect my cat’s privacy. Why can’t he respect mine? 
— Annoyed

Hey, Annoyed! 
Good question about why cats follow people into the bathroom. I love 

one of our bathrooms and sleep in the sink all the time. Speaking of annoying… It’s really annoying when our human comes in and turns on the light. She always wakes me up! 

While it might seem odd to you that cats follow people into the bathroom, it makes perfect sense to the cats. Here are a few reasons why cats follow people into the bathroom.

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Study Proves Cats Know Their Names

Cat Behavior, Cat Names, Training Cats

Take it from me. Cats know their names. It depends on how you say them though and whether we’re in the mood to acknowledge your presence. 

Cats know their names, although they sometimes choose to ignore them.

Cats know their names, although they sometimes choose to ignore them.

Do cats know their names, Thomasina? My cat often comes to me when I call him. But when my cat sitter calls him, he never appears.

— Puzzled
 
Hey, Puzzled!
We ignore our cat sitter, too! And it took us a while to recognize our names when she called us.
 
Everyone says things differently. So if your cat is used to hearing you say “Tig-gurr,” and your cat sitter says “Tiii-ger,” he’s not going to be sure she’s talking to him.
Of course, we recognize voices, too. When your cat hears your voice, he probably assumes you’re about to offer him food. But who know what that cat sitter wants.

 

Study Shows Cats Know Their Names

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Counter Conflicts: Why Cats Get Up On Counters

Cat Behavior, Cats On Counters

Why do cats get up on counters? We have lots of reasons, but one of them isn’t to annoy you! Keep reading, and I’ll tell you some secrets for keeping them off.

cats get up on counters for several reasons

Why do cats get up on counters? Not to annoy you!

Thomasina, why do cats get up on counters? My cat is always on the kitchen counters, and he’s driving me crazy!
— Annoyed

Hi, Annoyed!
Cats get up on counters for a few reasons, and we think they’re very good reasons. But there are ways to keep him off if you really want to.

Let me tell you why cats get up on counters first. Maybe you’ll change your mind.

Why Cats Get Up On Counters

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