If we can get the cat to try things in some new way, or adapt to some changes we have to make, both of us will be happier.
But the cat is skeptical.
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This kind of cat skill came up as a consequence of our car being in the shop for a long while. I am able to take the bus for some things. But certain out-of-the-way errands are trickier to manage. Like the stop at the feed store for their special dry food.
Well, it’s an emergency, and we’re all suffering. As the dry food dwindled, I bought a bag of grocery kind to mix in as a stretcher. The cats picked out a lot of the new food, acting like a kindergarten class with free Pixy Stix, and lay around in satisfied shapes. I knew that would happen; like humans with their own junk food, cats love the “sugar rush” they get from the high levels of carbohydrates.
In this case, the manufacturer has fooled cats into eating food they wouldn’t find appealing by spraying it with meat juice. And it works.
But we can’t bribe our cats with junk. At least, not all the time.
As their dry food threatens to run out entirely, I manage a trip to the health food store. I know they have several types of cat food there, and I have not checked it out since I bought a trial can, and the cats went on hunger strike. Mr. Bond did his famous, Excuse me, this is not food. I don’t know what they told you at the store, but just look at it. I mean really.
So I explain we have to “sell” this new food, which has wholesome ingredients. Thus, I expect the cats will be disappointed. Mr. WayofCats rises to the occasion magnificently. He got out the container we keep the dry food in, gaining the cat’s attention, and poured in the new food. Then he exclaimed, “Look at this. It has bits!”
Sure enough, there are three different colors and shapes in the new food. Thank goodness. I immediately express my own enthusiasm, saying how wonderful it looks. The cats actually like it.
Maybe we just lucked out. But at least I now have another kind of food I feel good about giving them. We had some fun, and got the cats to approach a new food without disappointment.
If we are apprehensive, or uncertain, or otherwise feel the cats won’t like something, we will project what we expect, and our cats will pick up on it.
If we offer them things with happiness and confidence, these will be the emotions our cats will reflect.
Remember; to sell it, we have to believe in it.
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