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There’s a far better way to use “yours and mine.” It’s giving the cat something of their own to substitute what we have that they find so interesting.
Cat energy cannot be extinguished. It can only be redirected.
When we offer the cat a substitute, the cat can see it two ways:
We can tell the cat that the computer is ours, and their toy mouse is theirs, but we must acknowledge how different they are. The cat will not be fooled. So try to figure out what it is that the cat likes so much about a certain object, and try to duplicate that, rather than buying them their own computer.
The cat can be simply interested in what we are doing, so we should look for ways to integrate them into the activity.
The cat might like the movement or light show of the screen, and want a toy with similar output.
The cat might love the cord on the mouse, which you are constantly moving in a playful way. Give them something with a tail that we can play with while we compute.
Often, this is the only way a cat can express a need. If they are eating our houseplants, we should grow them some kitty grass. If they are playing with wires, they would like some rubber snakes. If they are knocking things off tables, they need some bouncy sponge balls.
The cat never does something just to annoy us. They have needs, and will be drawn to anything that gives reliable satisfaction.
We can get into a battle of wills with the cat. Or, we can have a trained and happy cat.
It’s up to us.
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Great blog with some really good ideas. Will have to try them. sure beats buying them a computer.
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Well, the computer is for sharing!
One of my kittehs likes to sit on top of my computer monitor and hang her paw down in front of the screen casually while I’m using it. I haven’t figured out yet if she likes the warmth, the height, or the company!
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My cat loves to sit on the monitor while I am working. She doesn’t bother me at all, and her tail is not hear me.
My question is – Is it dangerous? Is there anything being emitted in the way of power that could harm her?
Old style ‘TV Tube’ monitors have large capacitors that can deal a shock. As long as the plastic cover is intact, this is no danger to a cat. If the cat knocks one of those over, the tube could break and spill glass. Again, the stand if intact makes it very hard for a normal cat to turn it over. If it uses the top of the monitor to jump sideways, discourage that.
Newer LCDs are probably safer, again, as long as the unit is intact.
Computers and all electric equipment emit various kinds of radio and magnetic and light – including the infared heat that makes it so comfy. These emissions are watched by regulators to be safe for humans to be near all day, so a cat for a much lesser time is safe. The same is true for all equpment – stoves, fridges, wiring, lamps. So the computer isn’t alone in your house in producing waves in the area.
I would say that danger is far more likely to be from items that are broken or items in bad condition. Youre probably better to see if a cord has cracked its insulation or been chewed on, or is overloaded and possibly a fire hazard.