Is Your Cat Mad at You? Decoding the Silent Signals of Feline Discomfort and How to Fix It
If you always thought your cat looking at you for long is their sign of love, we’ve got some bad news for you.
Every cat owner knows how hard it can be to understand what exactly their pet wants, wishing the cats would be able to talk just in the same languages as us. Despite our best efforts, sometimes we can unintentionally harm or offend the cat, later trying to figure out what happened and how to get our pet’s trust back.
These tips can help you prevent situations like this and thus make your daily routine with your cat healthier and harmonious.
Don’t Caress Your Cat When They Don’t Want It
It seems like you could spend the eternity holding your cat in your hands, but cats are actually very careful about their own boundaries. When you try to pet them next time, check if your cat’s skin or tail is twitching and ears are flat: this may mean the pet is uncomfortable with you imposing your company while they’re trying to have a rest.
Your Cat’s Direct Gaze Isn’t About Love
Though it might be surprising for some, the cat’s long and persistent gaze doesn’t mean they just took a moment to adore their owner, but an actual sign of challenge and threat. If you respond with the same prolonged gaze, your cat will likely consider it a signal for an open conflict and possibly an attack.
If your cat starts behaving aggressively, don’t imply physical punishment: the pet will remember that you’re the source of pain and thus will start avoiding you.
Don’t Be Noisy Around Your Cat
It’s a well-known fact that cats’ hearing is way more sensitive than ours, so a normal sound for us might be a reason for the cat’s panic attack. Don’t raise your voice too much when you’re around your cat, even if you’re suddenly involved in a fight with another family member; also consider not turning music or television up too much.
Don’t Force Your Cat Into Anything They Don’t Like
Be that too frequent bathing or an attempt to spend five minutes with your beloved pet in your hands, don’t make your cat tolerate anything if it’s not absolutely necessary. If the cat tries to break free while staying in your hands, just let them go; this will show that you respect their will and thus will create a better dynamics between the two of you.
