Learning to talk Cat
It's summer so you may be heading off on holiday and enlisting the help of a cat sitter. I have known of some cat sitters to be too much and too intense in her affections with the cat. She was filming herself stroking them and not looking at the body language as she was focused on recording and this turned into a bite. I wanted to talk about body language as there may be things your cat likes/ tolerates from you (their human) but would not tolerate from anyone else .. they may want a divorce from your sitter!
Interactions with cats what's favoured and what's not
Lots of humans are very tactile creatures, we like to hug and kiss and have quite intense long interactions. Cats however, as a solitary species are not always this way inclined. Our overt displays of affection can be too much and scary for them. Of course, many cats like a fuss and enjoy being held but many cats prefer short interactions based on their terms. It may be that they have been habituated (got used to) a certain area being handled from a young age and they enjoy it.
It's simply not true that cats are impossible to read, evil or malevolent! Cats can be reactive because they are in pain too. Cats should not be forced into an interaction. Here is some tips on how to help others make your cat feel safer. Safety is paramount to them. If they don’t feel safe and have choices they can lash out. Obviously the below recommendations may need to be amended for your cat’s age and health. A cat tree can help a cat feel safer as they can view things from a vantage point. An upturned cardboard box can reduce stress if is somewhere private. The litter tray and food bowls will also need to be in a private place -all of these things can help with stress and thus more relaxation and relaxed body language.
A cardboard box in a private area can be popular with many cats.
LEARNING TO TALK CAT!
Relaxed body language
A cat can have very soft squinty eyes. Ears are not held flat like aeroplane wings.
She may be exposing a vulnerable part of her body (her tummy). This suggests she feels comfortable. FYI: It is not a request for a belly rub!
Cats can experience different emotions.
Here are some signs of frustration (a cat may feel this emotion when they cannot move away from something, feel their space is being invaded, or they cannot access something). Frustration can occur if doors are shut or if feeding regimes change - a timed feeder can help if the sitter may be held up.
Here are signs:
Rotation of ears
Thumping of the tail
Tail swishing from side to side
Meowing a lot
Biting - they can do this from frustration
Licking the shoulder blade
Signs of fear and anxiety
The stomach is a very vulnerable area (it has lots of key organs), A cat will attempt to look after this area through their body language. They won’t expose it.
Other signs of fear and anxiety can include:
Pupil dilation - large saucer eyes
Paw pads directly on the floor
Flat ears
Crouched body language Hyper-vigilance and easily being startled Head up off the floor rather than resting on it Hissing and growling
Cats need:
Play and predatory behaviours
Places to rest
High places to rest
Playtime
Multiple separate resources with food and water separate
Consistent interaction - nothing that is too intense (you know your cat best so advise but bear in mind it may be different for a different person).
Familiar scents available and scent respected - use the double blanket method so if one needs washing you have a spare for scent continuity.