Are we getting on together?

 Most humans are too dumb to read our body language. So they don't pick up the clues that cats are not getting on. Sure, they may recognise a cat fight but more sublte signs pass them by.

Take for instance these two cats. The black cat is arching his back and standing sideways to the tabby the white cat. His tail is bristling and is standing up then going down. He is making himself look as big as possible to threaten the other cat.

The tabby and white has his ears retracted showing anger and they are also slightly pulled down the sides of the head showing some fear. 

His body is stiff with tension because he is readying himself for fight or flight. Another sign of his fear is that his body weight is on his back feet.

Yes, some cats do get on.  But some cats definitely do not.

Now some human scientists have come up with explanation and advice to these dumb humans. You can download their guidelines here 

Take-home message for stupid humans is 

• Don't take in too many cats
• Recognise the signs of inter cat tension
• Make sure each cat has a safe haven
• Don't feed cats in a row. Feed them at a decent distance from each other.
  
• Be creative in helping cats avoid each other - cat trees, lots of cat beds, lots of food and water in different occasions, a litter tray for each cat and one extra.
  

Taking possession of human resources

 

When moving into a new human home, it is important to start taking possession of the resources. Make it clear what is yours, not theirs from the start.

Human beds (so much more roomy than cat beds), the sofa, the best armchair, the floor space under the radiator - these are all resources that you should claim as your own as soon as possible..

Other resources will also become yours - such as the office chair. Now an office chair is not as comfy as a sofa, but nevertheless it has a certain symbolic value. If it's not yours, then your human may think that is belongs to them.

Likewise any garden furniture. Garden furniture is installed by humans for humans. Yet any cat knows that garden furniture belongs to felines first, humans second. A garden table makes a nice place to lounge when the sun is out.

 Be imaginative... a car might not appear to be the best place for a cat, but some cats take over the family car.

Then there are boxes, stairs, shopping bags, even sinks - all of these are potential cat resources. 

Once you use them, you can claim ownership.

Do your joints ache?

 It's tough getting old, whether you are a cat or a human. But we cats have an extra problem. We hide our pain.

So for the help of your human, instead of a cat photo here is a quiz photo. Humans are so dumb that they have to have simple instructions on how to recognise our pain.

It should be obvious, really - if we hesitate when jumping up on to the bed, or have to bunny hop using both back legs when going up or down stairs. 

If we are slower to play or spend more time in our bed - it's not "just old age" it can easily be arthritic pain. AND we need painkillers just like elderly humans do.

So show this to your human.... remember they are dumb animals that need instruction.

How to be nice to the vet ...

Vets? I hate them, like most cats. But I have learned not to show it. You can make a vet like you, if you try hard.

Fergus is a cat whose life was saved because the vets thought he was cute. He was handed in as a skinny elderly stray, and would have been put down.

But he purred loudly at the vet. He rubbed against the vet's hands. He walked off off the vet table and sat on the keyboard of the vet's keyboard.

"He's so cute and loving," thought the female vet. So she rang the local cat charity and asked them if they would fund treatment for him, not euthanasia.

Fergus had a blood test which showed he was healthy. His teeth were awful - one reason why he was so skinny. It hurt to eat. These were treated and the charity took him on.

After three months with a fosterer - and lots of regular meals - he found his forever home.

So.. it might be worth being nice to the vet! Fergus charmed the vet into giving him a second chance.

Male or female humans which do you prefer?

Freya taking a nap after socialising with the male plumbers

 Purrsonally, I have always preferred females. For the following reasons...

• They are usually in charge of food in the kitchen.
  
• They vocalise in a higher voice more like a miaow.
• They have softer bodies to lie on.
• They take up less room in the bed.
  

But my friend, Freya prefers males. She says she likes them better because...

• They have bigger laps to sit on and she is largish.
• If they love cats, they are soppier than the females!
  
• They are less fussy about cat hair.
• She finds their snoring restful at night.

Which do you prefer? And why?

• If your human wants to know why, tell her/him to read chapter 3 in this book.