2010年12月12日 星期日

Understanding Cat Behavior

If you had to spend over a decade of your life with a foreigner who does not speak your language, wouldn’t you take the time to learn theirs?

Our cats can actually learn some of our language, whether actual words or our body language. By the same token, sooner or later most cat owners learn to understand their cat’s behavior and its meaning.
Unfortunately, some people tend to anthropomorphize their cats. They attribute human emotions and thoughts to an animal. I have often seen  people interpret feline behavior in terms of jealousy, vindictiveness or any other type of human emotion.
My cat is peeing on my bed because he’s jealous of my new boyfriend.”
She bites the other cats because she’s mean.
The problem is you can never solve the problem without understanding the real reasons behind your cat’s behavior.
If I had to focus on one piece of advice this would be it -
Your cat is not a little person.
A cat experiences its surroundings in a different way then we do. It has a whole different set of needs too. Felines are semi-nocturnal predators, domesticated only several thousands of years ago. The old adage still holds true:
You can get the cat out of the jungle, but you can’t get the jungle out of the cat.
So what can you do?
The key here is learning. Take the time and read up on cat behavior. Try to see the world through feline eyes (and nose, and ears…) Educate yourself about feline needs and how to meet them in our modern homes.
You can start your research here: Cat Behavior for Beginners. Next, browse through our cat behavior articles for more information. Our huge forum archives hold thousands of cat behavior threads, so make sure you visit the cat behavior forum as well. It’s also a great place for posting your questions.
Last, but not least, I recommend reading Think Like a Cat by Pam Johnson-Bennett – a great guide both for general cat care and for understanding cats and their behavior.
Have you taken the time lately to learn more about feline behavior? Any insights you’d like to share? Add a comment here, or visit our forums!

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