Does your cat show obvious dislikes? Does his body language show he is upset about something? Take a look around; you may find yourself responsible for your cat's bad attitude. Did you forget to clean the litter box yesterday?
Is your fuzzface POd. because you've ignored her? Find out more about cats' typical pet peeves and make friends with your cat again.
1. Cats Hate Being Ignored by Their Humans
Contrary to some people's beliefs, cats are not solitary animals, but they need and enjoy companionship, both with other cats and with their favorite humans.
My Jennifur, pictured here, sulks when I leave her alone too long, and either swats out at me or steals my office chair. I've learned to compensate by taking several fifteen minute breaks during my workday to brush her, entertain her with a wand toy, give her a treat, or just hold her and pet her.
2. Cats Hate Dirty Litter Boxes
Cats hate dirty, stinky litter boxes, and may be driven to search for substitutes, whether a corner of the carpet or in a basket of clean laundry in the closet. Think about it: do you enjoy using one of those "portable potties" commonly found in public places?
Your cat's sense of smell is 14 times stronger than yours, so a litter box that smells reasonably clean to you may downright stink to your cat's discerning olfactory senses.
This step-by-step tutorial demonstrates conscientious litter box maintenance.
3. Cats Hate Spoiled Food
Cats don't like spoiled food. Stale or spoiled canned food not only smells bad, but also is unhealthy for cats to eat. According to PetEducation.com, some of the toxins cats can get from spoiled food include Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, andSalmonella.
The length of time you can leave canned cat food before spoilage depends on room temperature. In the summer, lacking air conditioning, I'd suggest leaving the food out no longer than 20 minutes, maximum.
Likewise, in the winter, if the heater is on, or the food is in a warm kitchen, 20 minutes would apply. The absolute maximum under optimum temperature, would be around 30 minutes.
Kittens, who should be given smaller meals more frequently, probably will finish their meal well before 15 minutes. It's better to give them a tablespoon or two every three hours than to take a chance on spoiled food.
Be your cat's hero instead of a chump, by keeping his food fresh.
4. Cats Hate Nasty-tasting Medicine
Some pills taste so vile that cats literally foam at the mouth while swallowing them (or spit them back in your face.) It's even worse if you expect them to swallow pills dry. A 2001 study presented in a veterinary journal stated that "After 5 minutes, 84% of capsules and 64% of tablets are still sitting in the esophagus." The study also brought out the specter of esophagitis, which can be caused by the irritation of pills and capsules remaining in the esophagus for long periods of time.
A sick cat really needs his medication to be well again, or in the case of certain chronic diseases, such as hyperthyroidism to maintain a stable condition. Make it easier for both of you by trying one or more of these different methods of administering oral medications.
5. Cats Hate Overly-Aggressive Petting
Some cats are overly sensitive to tactile stimuli. Feline hyperesthesia is often associated with this. Your cat may be on your lap, sharing a tender moment as you are petting her, but after awhile may suddenly growl or hiss, then bite or scratch you and jump down.
Amy Shojai, CABC and former Contributing Writer on Cat Behavior, offered the following advice:
"Cats accept grooming from other cats on the head and neck, and full body strokes may feel 'unacceptable' and stimulate the biting. Limit your petting to the cat’s head or the back of his neck. Then identify the cat’s petting threshold. In other words, count the number of strokes he allows before aggressing; watch his body signals so you stop before he bites."
6. Cats Hate Competition From Other Cats
Whether it's the day-to-day hierarchy battles over food or privileges between two dominant cats, jealousy that their human is paying too much attention to another cat, or an outside intruder trying to muscle in on their territory, many cats hate competition from other cats.
- Hierarchy Disputes: Amy Shojai wrote "In households where the cats get along very well, the 'top cat' position may change from room to room, with each kitty giving ground to the “owner” of the property only when s/he appears. Otherwise, the cats time-share and can all use the same favorite bed, for instance—as long as they get out if the 'owner' asks."
- Redirected Aggression: Redirected Aggression most often occurs when a family cat spies a neighborhood cat through a window. Angry because the cat is encroaching on his territory, but unable to attack him, the house cat attacts the closest cat to him - another family cat. The linked article gives several tips to help forestall redirected aggression.
7. Cats Hate Loud Noises and Commotion
Holiday times are often extremely stressful for cats, especially those we've come to associate with fireworks, such as the 4th of July and New Year's Eve. Loud parties at any time of the year are also stressful for most cats, especially the older ones.
Thunderstorms are also a source of fear and stress for many cats. Five of my six cats panic and run to their bedroom sanctuaries whenever they hear a doorbell ring, even on a television commercial.
Outside loud sounds are not the only noise that causes stress in cats. Family fights are even worse, because they are between people cats love. Whether it's a fight over finances, or mother-in-law problems, give your cats a break and take the fight outside the house. Take a drive and park somewhere, such as a park, where you are forced to discuss your issues more quietly. You'll not only be forced to discuss the problems more rationally, but your poor cats will avoid one more loud source of stress.
The linked articles will offer many tips for helping your cats relax, which are applicable to all these situations. For especially "nervous" cats, it is also often helpful to give them one or another holistic remedies, such as Bach's Rescue Remedy.
