They have heightened senses, coiled energy, flexible bodies, and an enhanced ability to see movement, even in the dark. Their minds are prone to notice small changes, and think about what they mean, while their emotional range is both broad and deep.
They rely on their highly tuned instincts, which makes them both cautious and curious. So with all these delicately balanced and souped up processes going on, it’s no wonder some people regard cats as neurotic and difficult pets.
It’s no wonder that the cats they meet are like that.
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It’s sad, because every Cat Appreciator knows that the best use of these lovely processes are to mold and enjoy them as the friendship enhancements that they are.
Cat sensitivity is why they need so much support.
One of the things I love about cats is that they take things seriously, especially friendship. In this, cats are simply rational actors.
They do not have strong behavioral pressures towards being part of a group and, thus, trusting humans. Dogs do. So when dog owners make any number of mistakes, and they do, it does not impact the way their dog acts towards them.
Whereas cats take rebuffs personally. We must have done it on purpose. So… we do not like them.
And their feelings are hurt.
This simple equation is so obvious to me now, but for those new to cats, the cat’s indifference is not the reaction of a wounded heart. The cat’s indifference is never blamed on the human’s bad overtures. We conclude, wrongly, that it was the cat who decided to not like us.
Cat sensitivity works for them when communication is flowing as it should. Now they are focusing their concentration, interest, and good will towards us. We feel spoiled and flattered and adored.
That’s what I love about cats.
When cats love us, they radiate their concern, trust, and fascination with us. We find it easy to show it right back to them.
Cat skeptics, seeing no evidence of such cat caretaking, might think cats are not worth the trouble to cultivate.
They are very much mistaken.
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There’s more ways to understand our cat with The Way of Cats than the article you are reading now. See all of my posts on WHY CATS DO THAT.
That is so true. All the cats here are very sensitive. And they do get their little feelings hurt. You can really learn a lot by having a cat around and how sensitive they are.
I am currently reading a book by Carline Knapp called “Pack of Two” and it explores the powerful bond between a person and their dog. She speaks of that ‘unconditional love’ that her dog gives her– and she’s right, dogs will give their whole hearts to their owners in a very unflinching way. She talks about how every time she looks at her dog, the dog seems to be smiling.
My cats are full of shifting and complex moods. Sometimes they are childish and sullen, other times they are tender and earnest. One of my cats is a rescued feral who still experiences flashes of fear when she hears car horns or sees a large dog through the window. I have a male cat who would like to perceive himself as the King Lion, so I need to pretend never to notice when one of the females bullies her way into his spot. The presence of these complex personalities in my house has brought richness to my life, and I will never understand people who think that all cats are aloof!
What an interesting sounding book, Linda. I do think our cats give us love, though it’s not necessarily “conditional.” It’s simply based on how we treat them; which, I agree, is a richer experience in many ways.
Oh, Marg, I think the kitties take after you
I have read PACK OF TWO, and add my recommendation to Linda’s.
I once had a cat at a time in my life when I should NOT have tried to care for a pet. She was with me until her death at a ripe old age, but my personal difficulties when she was a kitten changed her, and now, more than 20 years after I said good bye to her, I still regret her early days with me.
I’ve tried in the intervening years to be more understanding of the cats who followed her.
Woodstock´s last [type] ..Report from the writing front – 4
It’s always a disaster when I leave my cat alone for 2 or 3 days. Sometimes I go away for the weekend and I ask my mother to take care of my cat. And when I come back, the cat won’t even look at me. I realize immediately that the cat is angry with me because I left her alone. This usually lasts for several hours until the cat calms down.
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My cat knows when one of us is sick. He lies by the place where we are feeling back. He slept next to my husband’s broken leg for six months. He curled up by my neck when I was going through chemo and radiation for throat cancer. And until my husband had brain tumor surgery, the cat was lying on the back of the couch, directly behind his head where the tumor was located. He doesn’t do that anymore so we’re hopeful all of the tumor is gone. My cat’s sensitivity is both alarming and comforting.