Cats are very much their own creatures. True free spirits who do not listen to reason. Let alone commands. Some people tend to treat cats as if they were dogs, and that only creates frustration on both sides. Because cats have no intention, a priori, of obeying anyone. And because we interpret our cat «ignoring us» in a very human way.
This means that, all too often, we become our cats' vassals. We do what they want without realizing it. They have us at their feet without even needing to ask. And this can sometimes lead to behavioral problems on the part of our cat. Then come the commands, the rules… and with them, helplessness. Because it is very likely that our ARISTOCAT will completely ignore them.
The most important thing you should know
Although cats have lived alongside us for centuries, they are still quite wild. Their level of domestication is different. Unlike dogs, cats do not constantly try to please us. They do not accept the premise that we are «their bosses», as a dog might think. In fact, they do not even accept the idea that there are bosses. And, in the words of biologist John Bradshaw, cats do not consider us a different species. «They simply believe that we are big cats». Therefore, the way they relate to us responds more to stimuli than to learned behaviors.
That is why, according to researchers at Lund University in Sweden, it is necessary to try to understand the nature of cats. Only then can we understand how they function, what their logic is, why they do what they do, what they are trying to tell us… Only then can problems be solved.
What goals should we set ourselves…and which should we not?
Some people see their pet as an opportunity to impress others; to succeed; to gain popularity. Even to break records and win Guinness awards, as Didga has done, the only cat in the world capable of performing 20 tricks in one minute. When our relationship with our cat is based on this kind of thing, we are prioritizing our goals, desires, and interests over those of our furry felines.
What we should do, in any case, is try to build a friendship centered on making sure that the cat is happy, comfortable, healthy, and relaxed. Because only when a cat is relaxed can it form a good relationship with the other people or animals around it.
Five questions to ask yourself if your cat suddenly changes its behavior
- Has there recently been a substantial change in your home? For example, the arrival of another animal, whether a dog or cat, or the birth of a baby. But also a renovation, a move… Because changes, however small they may seem to you, stress cats and cause them anxiety.
- What condition is their litter box in? Does it have everything they need? Is it always in the same place? Is it in a quiet, safe corner for your cat?
- Does your cat have the opportunity to go outdoors?
- Has your cat recently experienced a traumatic episode? A fight, a punishment, an accident, a fright…
- Does your cat have everything it needs? Food, water, social stimulation… Is its environment sufficiently enriched?
How should you NOT correct a cat's behavior?
Experts say that we should never punish our cat, under any circumstances. Contrary to what we may think, punishing our cat only helps create greater distance between it and us. This is because the cat does not understand why it is being punished (it does not matter whether you explain it, it will not understand), but it does understand who is punishing it. It knows that perfectly well. Therefore, punishment can have an undesirable outcome: the cat may avoid you.
How SHOULD you correct a cat's behavior?
According to experts, the best approach is based on a reward system. Food, toys, affection. When the cat does something that particularly pleases us (for example, using its litter box instead of going outside it), we can reward it. In the long run, the cat will establish a connection between its action and the incentive, and it will be more likely to continue behaving that way.
As we have said on other occasions, it is also very important to have plenty of patience, empathy, and a positive attitude. We hope we have helped you understand your cat better. If you have any trick that works for you, share it with all the ARISTOPARENTS on our social media.