Unlike dogs and children, cats are unlikely to come to you just because you want them to obey. However, a cat who knows he will be warmly petted, brushed, will receive a treat, or an extended period of lap-napping, is more likely to get up, stretch, look casually around, and then wander over to you (displaying, for all intents and purposes, the attitude that it was his idea in the first place). No animal will come to you willingly if you are raising your voice or if they think they are going to be punished.
Cats, by the way, respond best to names that end in an "ee" sound. You will most likely get a better response if you shorten Prince Zadrach of Dominquez' name to Zaddy, for example. Too, they seem to respond better to a higher-pitched tone of voice.
Guide:
1. Call your cat's name. If your cat knows its Name well enough, this ought to be something that interests it. Always start as early as you can in teaching your cat to come to you. Kittens are more likely to learn and be responsive than older cats. But a cat that is loved to bits is always able to overcome the reticence of knowing it all at an older age by the lure of treats and praise.
2.Pat your cat while on the ground or floor. Try to indicate the place where you would like the cat to come and see you. It also helps for you to crouch down on the spot you are patting, as the main reason why the cat wants to come is your presence, not the patting noise. There should be some sound involved to draw the cat's attention. If the cat notices, keep it up; if not, try something else.
3. Practice sounds that attract your cat. This is not really something that applies across all cats, so suggesting sounds here is not really useful. Rather, you will need to try different clicks, whistles, smooching sounds, fake meows, etc., that attracts your feline individual. And then use them to call your kitty!
4. Use rewards. Have little nibbles ready for your cat. Offer them to her or him when he or she arrives. That way, he or she will come to associate running to you like a speeding bullet with a delicious treat. Followed, of course, by a cuddle.
In American society, where our reputation is independence (remember a certain little war we fought back in 1776?), why does popular culture celebrate toy poodles in Gucci handbags as “cool”, while cat lovers get relegated to the status of “crazy cat ladies”? Or, if you’re a guy who happens to appreciate the independent, creative soul of a cat, then of course you must be gay. Could it be that as a people, we’re really clingy, dependant people who require the approval of others, something that dogs can provide for us?
ReplyDeleteI like it what it says about my personality that I’m a cat person. I don’t “require” the approval of others, although I have it from my orange tabby male who, I will admit, has dog tendencies – so maybe I require a bit more love and approval than I think! But he also has a lot of cat ones, such as asserting his own personality – loudly – when he wants outside, or to play, or for me to stop being lazy. He does not approve of the laptop, books, or any type of work I bring home – I’m not sure how he knows it’s work.
I’d like to start a revolution, the intelligent pet revolution. We should live in a society where there are cat parks, and cat hotels that we can bring out little furry children to when we go away on business. Walking a cat on the sidewalk at 9 o’clock at night should not provoke double takes and stares, but cooing and aweing. Cats have the IQ and curiosity of a 7-year old child and the personality of a teenager, so why do we as a society tend to drool over animals, who, well, drool? Nothing against dogs, I think they’re cute. I’d just rather skip the drooling stage and go right to the precocious, playful, insightful age.
HM