How to tell if your cat is happy
He/she sleeps peacefully in her favourite sunny or warm spot for many hours at a time. He/she enjoys a good ‘scratch’ on his scratching post .Is happy to be in your company but doesn’t crowd you by wanting to be with you 24/7. Likes his food but eats only to satisfy his appetite. Overeating is not a sign of a happy cat!
Kneading is a major sign of affection from your cat. While on your lap your cat may start to trample you with his paws, purring as he goes. They usually have this blissful look on their face.A cat is returning to kitten-hood when he does this as he was conditioned to do this as a kitten to stimulate the flow of milk on mum’s belly. When they dribble it is in anticipation of the delicious meal he will receive.Your cat is, in fact, demonstrating just how much he loves and trusts you .Many experts believe that hand-raised kittens show higher intelligence, greater loyalty and deeper affection for their owners. Another sign of affection is when your cat push its head on to your.This is called “head butts”. This is a cat’s way of showing affection. Some cats will turn their head, and push it against a human (or another cat).
And of course purring.I just love the way Maine coons purr.Its seems like the whole room is vibrating.Usually, a cat purrs because it is content. A mother cat purrs to let her kittens know she is nearby, and kittens purr in response to their mother’s grooming. Older kittens purr to entice adults to play. Some adults will purr to show an aggressor that they are non-threatening. Take note, however, that some cats will purr when frightened or in pain to comfort themselves.Many cats purr when their owners are unhappy. I’ve noticed, with absolute consistency over the years, that my cats rush to my side when I’m upset. They get really close to me and purr. Some seem to even have a sixth sense, so even if I’m not outwardly upset but inwardly something is bothering me, they’ll come up, settle themselves down and purr like mad. I believe that again, this is an act of reassurance, but this time it’s for me. It’s like they’re saying “We know you’re upset, but we’re here for you.” I find it incredibly touching, and it reminds me how clever and caring our feline companions really are.
Handling your kitten
- When lifting a cat, remember to support its weight and both ends. Don’t leave his legs dangling! Most cats do not like position where it’s belly is facing upwards.
- When lifting a kitten, don’t pick it up by the scruff of his neck. Mother cats do it correctly through evolution. We humans are not so skilled! Kittens rib cages are also very delicate.
Games to entertain your cat
Hide-and-seek Imitate the way a prey would behave; it appears, then it hides. Use a toy, piece of string or your hand under paper or blanket. Vary the speed of your movement and watch for the cat to pounce.
Insect and Bird simulation
Buy a garden cane and attach a piece of string to one end. Then attach feathers to the string and flick the cane over and over. Watch the cat try to catch the string.
Catnip Toys
Any toy stuffed with catnip will please your cat but you will have to renew the toy regularly as the scent will fade in time. Turner, my kitty, isn’t overly impressed with catnip!
Scrunched-up paper
Screw up tiny balls of paper and flip it into the air for your cat to catch
What cats do the best:
Follow everyone into the toilet or bathroom and don’t do anything but stare. Protest loudly whenever the door is closed in any room for whatever reason. Don’t feel you have to use the door when it has been open but just stand there for a few minutes and contemplate the meaning of life. Get as close as you can to humans when they’re trying to do something usually in the kitchen.
Always sit or lie on any paperwork you may find on the floor. Make sure you roll around on them to scatter them even more.
Tips for the whole family to read
1. Make sure you’re fully prepared for his arrival. Have his toys, food, litter box, scratching post and bed all ready for him. This will help him to settle in more quickly.
2. Handle him – a lot. If kittens are handled a lot when they’re young, they get used to it and learn to enjoy it. As a result, they’re much more likely to turn into affectionate adults that love to be cuddled and stroked. Your new kitten should always be handled gently. If you have young kids, you’ll need to supervise them with Kitty at first, to make sure they don’t accidentally hurt him.
3. Get him used to receiving everyday care from you. This includes grooming him, washing his face, bathing him and cleaning his ears and eyes. If he gets comfortable with all this when he’s a kitten, you’ll have no problems with it when he’s an adult.
4. Safely introduce him to the everyday things that will form part of his world as soon as possible. This may include other people, kids, other pets, travelling in your car, boarding at your sister’s house when you go on holiday etc. etc. Doing this will turn him into a confident, happy, adaptable adult.
5. Play with him and talk to him every day. Bored kittens and cats often seek amusement in activities that you won’t be too keen on, such as destroying the furniture. Playing with your kitten will build your relationship with him and help to prevent boredom.
6. Feed him a wide selection of foods that are suitable for kittens. This gets him used to a varied diet, and reduces the risk of him becoming a gourmet cuisine snob who’ll only eat fresh wild salmon caught in the Fraser river besides our home.
7. Gently and calmly set boundaries. Kittens are like kids – they’ll push their luck to see how much they can get away with. Common naughty kitten behavior includes scratching, biting, jumping on the kitchen worktops, scratching the furniture and abseiling the curtains. If your kitten is being naughty, stop him, say “no” (don’t shout) and move him away from the scene of his crime. It’s much easier to train a new kitten to be good than an adult cat, so setting the boundaries whilst he’s young can save you years of frustration in the future.
8. Don’t give in to vocal blackmail. Some kittens try to get what they want by meowing non-stop. If you keep giving in to this, your kitten will turn into a very vocal adult cat who’ll drive you nuts with his constant noisy demands.
9. Keep him safe. Nasty frights – for example falling down the toilet, being tormented by a kid or having a dog bark in his face – will have a negative impact on him. The more unpleasant experiences he has as a kitten, the more likely he is to become a nervous, mistrusting adult.
10. Accept that your new kitten is a baby with loads of energy.Socialize and play with him and he will be your best friend for many years to come.
