Cats like to help.

Even if we don’t want them to.

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It’s worth the effort to figure out what the cat really wants. It will take less time to give it to them. It will satisfy them and they will not continue to ask. It will show we care, even if we are rushed or busy.

Here are some possible reasons the cat is “bothering”‘ us:

They want to be a part of what we are doing. From the cat’s point of view, we are master manipulators of our environment. They often like to see a master at work. Let them be company for us, but tell them what tools or materials are “paws off” for them.

But don’t be frustrating. If they show curiosity, hold something out to them, for the closer look or sniff they are wanting. This will often satisfy them, and they will either go away or continue watching, hoping for another close moment where we share our interests.

If the cat is being so intrusive we can’t get anything done, or their curiosity might be dangerous, separate them from our work. But give them a chance to be our companions. Once they know what is expected of them, they are more likely to behave as we wish.

We are working with something they regard as “theirs.” We might expect their strong interest when we are washing their food dishes or planting their kitty grass. But this same ownership drive can come up with chairs they like to sleep on, their favorite window, or even our disassembled computer.

Even if it is not something important to them, it can be a shared object, or something they know is important to us. They wish to express concern about the gutted computer chassis or the broken lamp. Provided, of course, they had nothing to do with it getting that way.

Don’t think they are inserting themselves in our activities “just for attention.” We can hurt their feelings when we act as though the cat is making a nuisance of themselves on purpose. If cats want something, they are more likely to wait for us to be inactive before making their case.

While they are not above being a roadblock when we move from room to room, or insinuating themselves between our face and the book or screen we looking at, there are actually good reasons for them to act this way, and it does not mean they want to be a nuisance.

The infamous “roadblock” move, where we are trying to get from one place to another and the cat is an inch from our foot at all times, is a signal from the cat, but it comes from the cat acknowledging that we are moving anyway. So they aren’t trying to disturb us. If it were a person, it would be a while you’re up request. So it is, and should be considered, polite.

To the cat, sitting motionless and staring at something, with occasional small movements of our hands, is about the same as staring into the distance and twiddling our thumbs. We just don’t look busy. It is frustrating to be deep into our thesis, a computer game, or figuring out the locked room murder… only to have a cat fling themselves into our field of play.

But if they are lonely, they might figure we are lonely too. If we can, some chin rubs or quick forehead contact will let them know we notice them. If they are asking for something, give them a time (point at a clock or our watch) when you will get up and get them what they want. Then do it.

This will train them to trust that we will come through for them, make them understand anticipation of the future, and let us arrange our time to take care of business, and the cat. Getting the cat to understand “Not Now” will only be accomplished if we say it and practice it.

Curiosity is also a strong motivator for all cats, but we might not realize that it is the addition of us to a task that makes it so compelling. If we can come up with ways for the cats to enjoy things we enjoy, this is that much more time we can spend together.

Cats love doing things with us. Even if they don’t know what they are.

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