Since dogs are our best friends, we all pretty much know what it's like to live with one. Even if you don’t have one, the chances are your friends, neighbors or parents are dog owners. But life with a cat is somewhat more subtle. You see, sometimes it seems like it’s not you who has a cat but rather a cat who has you.
So to find out more about what to expect from cats, Bored Panda spoke with Molly DeVoss, a certified feline training and behavior specialist who runs Cat Behavior Solutions agency, who shared some illuminating insights into the complex feline mind.
There are many unique things about the way cats act from a behaviorist point of view. DeVoss said that people tend to think of cats as little meowing dogs, but they are a very different species. “For instance, your cat shares 96% of its DNA with tigers, so they really are much like having a tiny tiger living with you. Unlike tigers, who can consume up to one hundred pounds of meat in one sitting, then fast for many days, in the wild, your house cat will eat 10 or more small meals a day. They get over half their calories from protein and 46% from fat, leaving 2% from carbohydrates – yet much of the food we feed them has a greater percentage of carbs,” she explained.
Another unique behavior is that they scratch surfaces as a territorial gesture. “Cats have scent glands between their toes that deposit a unique scent signature. Not only does a good scratching session stretch the back and remove dead nail growth, it also lets other cats know who the things 'belong' to.”
When asked whether cats get attached to their owner(s) as much as dogs, DeVoss said that’s absolutely the case and maybe more. “Cats are very sensitive creatures who can detect our moods and emotions. Cats don’t display their emotions as outwardly as dogs do; cats communicate in very subtle body language cues, which may lead people to believe they don’t feel as much as dogs.”
It’s no secret that there are tons of cat behavior myths surfing around that in fact have very little to do with reality. One of the most common cat myths is that they can’t be trained, DeVoss said. “In fact, cats respond very well to positive reinforcement. Cats are highly motivated by food, so with the right treats and techniques, you can train your cat to do just about anything.”
“Another myth is that cats are low-maintenance (compared to dogs); cats need daily attention, and while they don’t need to go out on a walk, they do need daily prey play – a play style that simulates the predatory hunting sequence,” she said.
“‘Cats are nocturnal’ is another myth; cats are actually crepuscular, which means they are most active at dawn and dusk, when their prey is scurrying about. A lot of people believe cats are aloof, when in fact, they develop deep relationships with their owners. Some cats are more shy than others, but all cats can learn to trust and be more confident if people take the time to earn that trust,” the cat behaviorist explained.
Meanwhile, any change in a cat’s routine should be a warning signal for a cat parent. “Cats are highly territorial home bodies who develop daily rituals and routines. When a cat is out of sync with their normal schedule and behaviors, something is awry. It’s unusual for your cat not to want to jump and climb to high places. Being in a high position makes cats feel safe from unwanted interaction,” DeVoss told Bored Panda.
