The cat will enjoy the cartoon menace of our teasing actions as long as the cat is in on the joke. Or it’s not a joke.
In the picture at left, RJ is being menaced by the Villain Hands of Dear Husband. His legs are still outstretched, he’s alert but not frightened. This game is only funny because both RJ and Dear Husband know that the Villain Hands aren’t really threatening.
The game ends with RJ being cuddled by the Villain Hands. Oh, so that’s what they were up to! Funny Villain Hands.
We all tease to show affection; as long as it is only teasing. The cat is an excellent barometer of how well the teasing is being taken. They will leave if they don’t like it. Always leave them an avenue to leave the teasing. Never chase them or force our teasing on them after they have left.
Once a cat feels secure, they will tease back. We can enjoy being teased by encouraging the cat to interact with us, and express a willingness to follow them or let our attention be directed by them. This will let the cat know we are sharp enough to get the joke once they go to the trouble of setting it up.
RJ, seen here at nine months, is still developing his sense of humor, and he has considerable natural talent. He made up a game in which he sees us going into the room with the computer and he races us to the chair. He gets there first, of course, and spreads himself over the chair to look up at us winningly. We have to pick him up and hold him on our lap when we sit down. After all, he got there first.
Another great trick is the one he pulled on Puffy, who was drinking water under the chair. RJ was carrying around a fluffy toy, so he jumped up on the chair, then dropped the fluffy toy on Puffy’s behind.
He was teasing Puffy, but in a way we, and Puffy, have taught him Puffy doesn’t mind.
Because Puffy looked around confusedly, wondered what he had been doing, noticed he was near the water mug, couldn’t remember if he had been drinking, checked to see if he was still thirsty, decided he wasn’t, and went back to his lair.
We don’t mind that kind of Puffy sequence. Neither does Puffy.
Got here from a Link or Search?
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.
