The Way of Cats

It’s a constant question, whether we are choosing a cat for the first time or considering a new one to be added to an existing bunch. On the one hand, personality is the most important factor, and I’ve had all kinds of cats, of both sexes. On the other hand, there are sex related tendencies which might be worthy of consideration.

more cat pictures

We should remember that there’s some misconceptions people still carry around. Some people look for girls because they think boys are more prone to roam or are more aggressive. Others want boys because they think girls are more neurotic or aloof. But none of these generalizations about cat sexes are true. When choosing a kitten who will be altered and well loved, their sex is the least of our considerations, because there are so many other factors which will have more impact.

I pick boys, though not on purpose. I have never looked over a group of cats and asked which ones are the boys; it’s just that once I’ve made my pick, it turns out that way. I’ve had friends who are the opposite; their pick will turn out to be a girl. I think that’s where the tendencies come in. There’s personality trends that can appeal to different people.

Boys are more likely to be goofballs. Easy going, less insistent on dignity, and likely to hang onto their kittenhood for years, boys are more likely to look for the fun in anything, whether it’s making us laugh after a tough day or not leaving the drape tassels alone. RJ is showing signs of being a classic case, though he’s young and still Kitten Brained. However, the last boy Maine Coon mix I knew did possess a wonderful sense of humor.

Girls are more likely to mature earlier, and have mature attitudes towards their opinions, their treatment, and their demands. They can be slower to warm up to new cats, and less tolerant of different outlooks. They can be quicker to leave things alone, and more responsive to our suggestions; unless they really, really want something. Then they are more likely to be stubborn.

Of course, these generalizations are belied by James Bond, who is quite stolid, fussy about routines, and insistent on his dignity. And my Natasha, who loved everyone, was as easygoing as a cup of pudding, and made friends easily.

So remember, personality trumps everything. That’s what to look for.

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There’s more to choosing a cat with The Way of Cats than the article you are reading now. See my CHOOSING A CAT.

When we have to be away for a while, from a short overnight trip to a long vacation, we might wonder if the cat will miss us.

Yes, they will.

more cat pictures

This is where the cat’s excellent sense of time and grasp of routine works against them. They know we are supposed to be home, and we are not. Being cats, they are going to think the worst.

Whatever plans we make to take care of their needs while we are gone, we should try to make them as reassured as possible.

Before:

• Talk about the fact that we are going away, but we will be back. This will alert them that a change is coming, and we know about it, and are thinking of them.
• Discuss the changes to the routine that will occur while we are gone. If we are getting a pet sitter, have them come over and be introduced. Involve the cat in the preparations.
• I use visual aids when I’ll be away. I let them smell the suitcases and watch me pack. I explain I can’t take them with me. When I was away for a week, I held Mr. Bond up to the calendar, and showed him, with his paw, that I’d be gone this day and this day and this day, but This Day, I’d be back.

During:

• If we can, call home and let the cat listen to our voice on the phone. At least they will know we still exist, somewhere. We can leave a message for them on the answering machine.
• Wear an old shirt which we don’t wash before we leave. Put it on the cat’s favorite sleeping area so we have a presence at home.
• Keep a soft toy in reserve which we have rubbed on our hair and the nape of our neck. Have the caretaker present it to the cat at some point and tell them we’ll be home soon.

After:

• The cat may greet us joyously when we reappear. Or, they may not. We might get the turned back so we know they were hurt by our absence. Mr. Bond has been known to keep this up for almost ten minutes.
• A cat like Puffy has a different reaction. He bounces over to get in my lap, and then he remembers I was gone. But I’m here now, so he gets over it quickly.
• Of course we are glad to see them, no matter how they react at first. Let them know we missed them and hated to be away.

Don’t be fooled by the cat’s low maintenance reputation. This only makes it easy to take care of their physical needs. Their emotional needs are deep and lasting, and not as easy to address, even with a temporary caregiver they know and like. If we do our best to let them know we also missed them while we are away, it gives them a pattern that will reassure them the next time.

We want to come back, and we will.

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There’s more ways to care for our cat with The Way of Cats than the article you are reading now. See all of my posts on CAT CARE.

I’ve written up what turned out to be pages, instead of a post, describing:

My Robot Experience

What to expect?

How the cats will react?

How it improved all our lives?

Well, that’s how it got so long! With some favorite pictures of my Cat Boys.

It will be up top in my Pages section, on the left hand side of the header.

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There’s more to raising and training a cat with The Way of Cats than the article you are reading now. See my CAT TRAINING TIPS.