The Way of Cats

There are many different holiday celebrations this time of year, and all are wonderful. But if our traditions include a decorated tree with gaily wrapped packages under it, we have a special cat challenge.

When I had a lot of cats, we nailed the Christmas tree to the floor. That gives you an idea.

After all, look at from the cat’s point of view. They climb trees. We bring a tree into the house and hang toys on it. Then we expect them to leave it alone? As we say in Brooklyn, Yeah, right!

more animals

The younger and/or more lively they are, the more likely they are to explore it, especially if it is new to them. My suggestions:

DO

• secure the tree with sandbags or some kind of anchor
• fasten the ornaments securely
• bind up the wires around the base so they won’t look so tempting, and coat them with Bitter Apple or citrus spray so they won’t chew
• leave some soft “low hanging fruit” ornaments that will tempt them first and we don’t mind them playing with. Sometimes they are satisfied with that, and after all, it’s Christmas for them, too!

DON’T

• use tinsel AT ALL. Cats can eat it and form terrible bowl obstructions.
• indulge in the delicate ornaments that would upset you in case they break. Display them in a safe place if they mean Christmas, but don’t tempt fate.
• wrap their presents and put them under the tree if they contain catnip. This is a sure way of getting presents opened before Christmas, and they might start on everyone else’s, just in case.
• use bows on presents if the cat likes bows, because they will think the bows are for them. Some cats are indifferent to ribbon wrapped around presents, and some cats can’t wait to peel it off. Try some “test gifts” to see which cat we have, and wrap in a way that will not invite destruction.

We can wrap gifts with cats present, depending on the cats. Sometimes we can stick a bit of tape on their paw, and they will be busy taking it off (I put it on my palm or the carpet first, to make it less sticky,) or we can ball up some scrap wrapping paper and let them chase it around, and all can enjoy this special task of the season.

But if the cat is making connect the dots with the laid out paper and playing with the scissors, we need to remove them from the premises to get the job done safely. Often, cats will leave wrapped presents alone. They find the task of wrapping the presents far more fascinating because of its crafty aspects.

The Christmas season can be tough for cats. All the decorations that just beg to be played with, all the coming and going, all the new packages, boxes, and bags. We can descend into a maelstrom of scolding and squirt bottles. But there’s a better way.

Whatever the cat wants to play with, warn them away, but try to come up with some substitutes, just for them. Energy cannot be extinguished, but it can be redirected. Social cats will want to be a part of the festivities, just as they want to be a part of everything we do.

Make ways for the cats to enjoy things safely, and we will all have happy holidays.

Got here from a Link or Search?
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.

Cats who seem to like other cats more than they do people are not unfriendly. They are simply expressing a comfort zone.

They understand the communications of other cats better than they do human communications. This is a learned skill. They can learn it.

more animals

One of the many benefits of having a cat civilization (three or more cats) is that less able cats can learn from the more developed ones. The best way for a cat-oriented cat to learn people is from their cat companions. If they see the benefits of interacting with the people in household continually demonstrated by those cats who get a lot of petting, playing, and pampering, they will see what they are missing.

Cat oriented cats reserve their most vulnerable moments for other cats. With people, they are reserved, because they have not yet learned to trust our human motivations and actions. Break through to them by responding more like their cat companions, and we will have a bridge to friendship.

Call their name for treats or playtime, stand in front of them with the tempting item, give them the slow blinks of eye-contact friendship… but then do not follow through until they follow through.

To us, it is rude to seem to offer something and then not give it. But to the cat, our offer, no matter how tempting, is just that: an offer.

Leave it up to the cat to accept our overture, and these cats will be more likely to take us up on it. It’s a respect issue. We are dealing with a cat who is still uncertain that we will allow them the freedom of choice that they know other cats understand.

Often, the first step a withdrawn cat will take is during these relaxed, respectful sessions. That moment their body nudges closer to get some of the good stuff, that time their head drifts over towards our petting hand; this is the withdrawn cat gathering strength from the acceptance and affection our friendly cats are showing.

It’s a group moment that is the withdrawn cat’s first step on the Bridge to enjoyable human contact.

This is how we invite such cats to invite us in.

Got here from a Link or Search?
There’s more about multiple cats in The Way of Cats than the article you are reading now. See more posts on the MULTIPLE CAT ADVANTAGE.

Thanksgiving is a time of gratitude. Are cats capable of this deep feeling, along with the human species?

They certainly are.

more animals

One doesn’t work in rescue for very long before we become struck by the depth and breadth of gratitude cats are capable of expressing. Whether it’s a kitten who cuddles with us despite the goo we just squirted in their ears and eyes, or a grown cat who reaches through the bars of the shelter age when we show interest, cats both recognize and reciprocate compassion.

There seems to be a special bond between the human and the cat they rescued from dire circumstances. This is what keeps the rescuer going through difficult times and daunting odds. People who have reached out to a cat who really needs it will tell me, “And they are the most loving cat you’d ever hope to meet!”

It’s a chicken/egg question. Was it the big heart that kept the cat going when the odds were long, until they could reach a point where rescue was at hand? Or was it the big heart that gets them noticed by the rescuer, who finds themselves unable to say no?

But we don’t have to have to acquire a cat by such a dramatic means to have a close relationship, or a cat with a big heart.

We can build these same bonds by seeing that such special circumstances simply take a shortcut to what is everyone’s ultimate goal; to be accepted and loved for what they bring to the table.

Human, or cat.

Got here from a Link or Search?
There’s more ways to get our cat to be affectionate in The Way of Cats than the article you are reading now. See all of my CAT AFFECTION posts.

I just ran across the amazing story of Adam and Abe, two cats who survived the Freeway Complex Fire of November 15th. Their people lost almost everything… but managed to find their cat family again.

Read more on this story at their website, and give if you can. Abe is doing well, but the medical bills are considerable.

My heart is touched by this couple’s evident and sincere love for their cats. As the website says:

Abe’s survival in that hellish environment gives us tremendous inspiration and optimism about our own path moving forward.

How true.