Archive for the ‘Cat Emotions’ Category
Has Your Cat Ever Apologized To You?
Seriously! Do you ever feel like your cat (or dog, or other pet) knows they have done something unacceptable and cares enough about it to look or act apologetic? Do animals have a conscience?
Taco has this habit of reaching up and hugging me when he wants attention or anything from me, he does it quite often when I’m in the kitchen working. Since I clip his claws, it’s usually not a problem (but annoying). I haven’t had a chance to do his manicure lately so his claws have gotten awfully sharp. Today when he did his hug/give me attention routine, it really HURT, and I yelled. He is not used to me yelling! So he ran right out of the kitchen, but two seconds later came in slowly meowing very loudly and looking straight into my eyes. I swear he was saying “I’m sorry, you’re not mad at me are you?” Then he got VERY loveable.
The Annoying Cat
First of all, I’m attempting to write this with the keyboard across my legs near my feet and a hefty cat purring and drooling on my lap. The cat is BIG. I am little. It’s a long stretch to the keyboard. Plus, he doesn’t know if he wants to lay down or sit up or both at once. My legs are falling asleep.
Cats need kids, and my youngest two are house-cat-dog-chinchilla-assorted little animal-sitting for their sister and new brother-in-law while they are away on their honeymoon.
Unfortunately this means that Taco is determined to give ME all his attention every single second that I am home. And if he doesn’t GET every single second of attention back, he turns into Horrible, Yowling, Galloping, Out-of-Control Demon Cat. This means that he is alternately destroying something, bounding across the house throwing his large self on me, reaching up and hugging me with claws and paws outstretched, sitting right in my face on the desk STARING at me, knocking stuff off every surface, or…did I mention…destroying something?
Right now he’s still sitting in my lap, but since I apparently haven’t given him my FULL attention for 10 minutes, he’s reaching up with his adorable little gigantic paws and patting my face. Yeah, cute. Annoying, but cute. And he knows it. Don’t let the innocent look fool you
Just One Way That Your Cat Controls You
Karen McComb 
is the lead author of a cat vocalization study performed at the University of Sussex. She got the idea of studying cat purrs while listening to her own cat purr, and noticing that cats seem to have a variety of purrs.
The University of Sussex study examined the acoustic structure of recorded cat purrs. The researchers decided that all purrs are not the same; some contain an “embedded, high-pitched cry.” Ten different cats purring were recorded and all human listeners in the study identified ‘solicitation purring’ sounds.
McComb explained that what cats seem to be doing for the special purr “is producing the low fundamental frequency and its harmonics by muscular activation” (that has been associated with typical purring) “but also voicing a cry, probably with the inner edges of the vocal folds, which is then superimposed on the sound’s frequency spectrum.”
Virtually all listeners, whether or not they owned a cat themselves, identified the solicitation purring sounds as being more urgent than others.
They believe that human sensitivity to this type of purring may be innate in humans, drawing from a primal drive to respond to crying babies. And you thought it was just purring…
Book Review: Outwitting Cats
The title says it all:
Outwitting Cats: Tips, Tricks and Techniques for Persuading the Felines in Your Life That What YOU Want Is Also What THEY Want
By: Wendy Christensen
Well we have the “Horse Whisperer” and the “Dog Whisperer” so I think this woman could be considered the “Cat Whisperer”. She really understands cats and how they think 
A review by Sy Montgomery states: “Here’s a book your cat would have written for you. Anyone who has a cat, wants a cat or wants to know a cat should read this loving, lucid, comprehensive handbook. It’s a gem.”
It’s a fantastic book and only about $10.
Do Cats Smile?
Of course cats smile! They use their whole face to smile, including the whiskers, eyes and ears. You can clearly discern an angry, scared, indifferent or happy cat from their facial expression. Cats have different facial muscles than people, so they will not use their lips much for their smile, but they are smiling all the same. Did you know that when a person smiles, there will be a little crinkling of the outer eye area (where “crow’s feet” are). If you don’t see this than the person who is smiling is faking their smile!
Cats don’t need to fake smile, they always act true to their feelings. You know exactly where you stand with a cat, unlike some people.
Owning a Cat - Is One Better Than Two?
Owning a Cat - Is One Better Than Two?
by Jane Tompsett
Cat ownership is a wonderful thing. A furry companion will bring a huge amount of joy and pleasure into your home.
But there is one vital question that must be answered when you first consider sharing your home:-
‘One cat or two?’
Certainly there are advantages to owning a solitary pet. Your new kitten will be the centre of attraction in the family and will happily receive the benefit of your undivided attention. The fun and games that your children will be able to enjoy on a one-to-one basis will be satisfying in the extreme.
Also, the expense of owning a single, new pet will be kept to a minimum. The cost of food, bedding, cat litter, toys and vet’s bills will be more easily absorbed into the family budget than would otherwise be the case and as there will be no need for your pet to share, the opportunity for inter-cat conflict simply won’t arise.
But what about the happiness of your new cat? Will living a solitary life be the kindest option? Wouldn’t having a companion to share life with be better for your pet’s emotional well-being?
A few of the benefits of owning two cats are:
Companionship for each other - especially if left on their own for long periods.
Cats enjoy the social aspects of being together. Feral cats naturally live in groups and are comfortable with group hierarchy.
Giving a home to litter-mates is the easiest route to take.
Double the pleasure for you!
Naturally, you must consider the other side of the coin. The possible disadvantages of owning more than one cat are:
Greater costs relating to food, medical bills, boarding fees.
Although most cats are sociable, some are not. A few will actually prefer to have you all to themselves.
Problems with behavior are more likely than with a solitary cat.
Cats with feline companions may be happier sharing their own comapny than sharing yours.
Once you have considered whether you wish to choose one or two new pets, do make sure that you see several different cats or kittens. You will find that you quickly get a good idea of which individual animals suit you best and you will be able to choose the right one - or two - for you.
Equipped with this information, you will be able to ensure that you can select cats that will live in harmony together, or will be likely to live happily on their own.
Whatever you choice - enjoy the love and affection of your new family members!
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