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This is an expression of the cat’s instincts in a wild world where they are both solitary, and relatively small. Showing weakness or lack of confidence would let larger predators see an opening, would let rivals try to intimidate them out of their territory, and would undermine the confident projection of ability that is part of the body language signals sent between predator and prey.
Some prey animals, feeling themselves observed by a predator, will “show off” by doing some extravagant display of their running or jumping skills. It would seem that they should be reserving this strength in case the predator makes a move on them. But the prey who shows off is communicating something to their would-be pursuer. They are saying they are so fast and agile that the predator should find some easier target.
Whether the cat is hunting or being hunted, (and the cat displays both skill sets,) it is important that the cat act confident. No matter what they are really feeling.
The dog, secure in a pack and instinctively urged to show deference to those in charge, will be happy to greet strangers with instant trust. Cats tend to reserve their displays of affection to those who convince them they will not take advantage. This is why the cat requires trust to show their vulnerability, and their affection, to us. This is not a pose they can drop lightly.
Even cats we know well will not want to admit they missed the table or misjudged a turn. Because cats don’t just want our love.
They also want our respect.
So the right thing to do when they get into difficulties is to help them out of it, and not make too much of a fuss over the situation they are in. It’s okay to tell them that they shouldn’t have been playing with the blind cords, or trying to weave their way through breakables, and that’s why they got in trouble. This is why we told them to leave those things alone in the first place.
But our trust is what will help a cat get themselves out of a situation without causing further damage. Don’t try to chase a cat away from a situation where their panicked reactions are going to knock more things over. Calmly reminding them they aren’t supposed to be there will give them the time and space to get out of things more delicately. This allows them to use their natural agility and planning skills .
Leaving them an opening, or creating one, where they can help themselves out will resolve the danger, safely. Remember that the cat’s reflexes are 20 nanoseconds faster than ours. We’re not going to beat them at any speed game.
We should always remember the cat’s natural instincts. After all, it’s something they cannot forget.
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I had pause to think of this the other day when my friend tried to jump through a window that was closed, silly boy. I did try to stop him, but he is deaf to the word ‘no’, so next thing there was a thump and a cat spinning in the air, before landing on all four paws, shaking its head and then walking off in the other direction, as if nothing had happened. I was reminded of being in school and reading Paul Gallico’s Jennie, where the cat concerned used to immediately begin to groom herself when she did something dumb, or made a mistake. I have watched cats since, and they do quite often do this! My friend did, when he was some distance from the window, but he may just have been trying to soothe his head!