Cat dislikes 20 habits you persistently engage in:
Stop aggravating your feline friend without even realizing it! From washing their bedding in one go to exposing them to peculiar smells, there are plenty of things cats can't stand. Keep your kitty purring and content by avoiding these 20 offenses.
20 things cats detest
1. Blasting their bedding in the washer
Give your cat's bedding a rest from the laundry day marathon. Washing everything at once removes their familiar scent and can stress them out. Instead, clean one item at a time to keep your buddy cool, calm, and content.
2. Neglecting to empty their litter box
Hey, nobody's perfect! We've all forgotten to dump the kitty litter once or twice. A dirty box makes the top of your cat's list of loathed items. Remember to clean it daily or consider an automatic box that does all the work for you.
3. Blowing their nose with certain scents
Steer clear of stinky scents they can't stand, such as citrus, essential oils, household cleaning products, and perfumes. Opt for natural, cat-friendly cleaning solutions and ditch the scented candles to give your furry friend some relief.
4. Picking them up for a squeeze
Put down the cuddle session, kitty lovers! While some cats may tolerate a hug, most prefer to set their boundaries on affection. Allow them to come to you, and learn to recognize their love signs—like slow blinking, purring, or curling up next to you.
5. Forcing them to visit the vet
Vet visits aren't typically on the feline vacation bucket list. Most cats find these situations terrifying, but there are steps you can take to help reduce their anxiety. Use treats to make the experience more enjoyable or speak with your vet about prescribing medications to help manage their stress levels.
6. Medication hassle
Getting your cat to take their medicine can be a more taxing task than expected. Put yourself in their shoes—no one appreciates strangers trying to force something down their throat. Instead, try administering medicine by disguising it in their favorite treats or foods.
7. Travel buddies
Though the idea of traveling with your cat sounds purr-fect, most felines dislike getting uprooted from their comfort zones and moving into a tiny carrier. Opt for a cat sitter when you venture out of town, as your kitty will thank you dearly when they return to their familiar abode.
8. Staying behind at the cattery
Leaving your beloved cat behind in a cattery while you jet-set may seem like the best option, but more often than not, cats find it stressful. Make them feel more at home by packing their favorite toys, blankets, and some clothing with your scent.
9. Separating them from their flea treatment
Flea treatments are vital for keeping your cat protected from parasites, but some kitties dislike the monthly application. If applying topical treatments is a struggle, consider the benefits of a long-lasting cat flea collar with quick-release mechanisms.
10. Skipping meals
Cats thrive on routine, so erratic feeding times can cause unwanted stress. Keep their tummies full by sticking to a consistent meal schedule or using an automatic pet feeder to eliminate mealtime guesswork.
11. Tolerating loud noises
Get ready to adapt your household chores. Loud noises like vacuuming, mowing the lawn, or playing music can cause your kitty to freak out. Consider placing your cat in a quiet room during noisy chores or try gradually desensitizing them to certain sounds for better tolerance.
12. Bath time
American Shorthairs, Maine Coons, and Bengals have a different opinion on bathing than most cats. Your kitty may not appreciate getting wet, so avoid bathing your cat unless it's absolutely necessary, like removing sticky substances or parasites from their fur.
13. Changes in the home
Cats value familiarity, so making changes around the house, such as rearranging furniture or moving their litter box, can stress them out. Opt for small adjustments over time to help your cat feel more comfortable with the altered environment.
14. Direct eye contact
Remember those childhood lessons about never looking a gift horse in the mouth? The same goes for cats. Avoid staring directly into their eyes, as it can be seen as a sign of aggression or a threat. Instead, glance at them affectionately but ultimately look away to maintain their trust.
15. Introducing them to strangers
Every cat is unique and has its own personality. Friendly breeds may enjoy meeting new people, while others may find interruptions from strangers stressful. Pay attention to your cat's body language when meeting new people, and give them space if they seem uncomfortable.
16. Neglecting play time
Cats require regular play sessions to stay mentally and physically stimulated. Fill your cat's playtime with interactive toys, and engage in play sessions to strengthen the bond between you.
17. Adding a second feline friend
Cats are unique individuals, and some may prefer the company of their human family members over other cats. Carefully consider the personality and preferences of both cats before making the decision to bring home a second feline friend.
18. Paying them too little attention
Balance is essential when it comes to engaging with your cat. Pay attention to their body language and adjust your interaction level accordingly. Show them extra love when they seek affection, and be mindful not to overdo it to avoid stressing them out.
19. Dressing them up in fashionable outfits
Yes, they may look adorable in that knitted sweater, but clothing is unnecessary for cats with fur. Skip outfit-shopping sessions for your kitty and focus on providing them with appropriate form of identification, like a microchip or breakaway collar with their contact information.
20. Treating them like infants
Though your cat may act like your baby, they aren't one. Avoid treating your kitty like a human baby by respecting their boundaries, not picking them up and cradling them, and opting for a calm, soothing voice when speaking with them.
- A cat's bedding preference is to be washed one item at a time, as washing everything in one go removes their familiar scent and may cause stress.
- A dirty litter box is strongly disliked by cats and should be cleaned daily or consider using an automatic litter box.
- Cats dislike strong and unfavorable scents like citrus, essential oils, cleaning products, and perfumes. Opt for natural and cat-friendly cleaning solutions.
- Most cats prefer to set their boundaries on affection, and cuddle sessions should be avoided or only occur when the cat initiates contact.
- Vet visits are terrifying for most cats, but medications can be made more enjoyable with the use of treats, or by discussing stress-reducing options with your vet.
- Administering medication can be a struggle, and trying to disguise it in their favorite treats or foods may make the process easier for both the cat and the owner.
- Traveling with a cat is often stressful for them, and it may be best to opt for a cat sitter when venturing out of town.
- Leaving a cat in a cattery can cause stress, so pack their favorite toys, blankets, and items with your scent to make them feel more at home.
- Some cats may dislike flea treatments, so consider long-lasting cat flea collars with quick-release mechanisms.
- A consistent meal schedule is essential for cats, and automatic pet feeders can help eliminate mealtime guesswork.
- Loud noises like vacuuming, lawn mowing, or music can cause stress in cats, so make adjustments to your household chores or try desensitizing your cat to certain sounds.
- Bathing may not be enjoyable for most cats, so avoid bathing unless it's necessary, like removing sticky substances or parasites from their fur.
- Changes in the home, such as rearranging furniture or moving the litter box, can cause stress for cats. Adjustments should be made slowly over time to help the cat acclimate.
- Avoid staring directly into a cat's eyes, as it can be seen as a sign of aggression or a threat and may cause the cat distress.
- Introducing a cat to strangers should be done carefully, paying attention to the cat's body language and giving them space if they seem uncomfortable.
- Interactive toys and regular play sessions are essential for keeping cats mentally and physically stimulated.
- Caution should be taken when adding a second feline friend, as some cats may prefer the company of their human family members over other cats.
- Balance is key when engaging with a cat, and owners should pay attention to their body language and adjust their interaction level accordingly.
- Clothing is unnecessary for cats with fur, and a focus on appropriate identification like a microchip or breakaway collar with contact information is more appropriate.
- Cats are individuals and should not be treated like human babies, as respecting their boundaries, not picking them up, and using a calm, soothing voice are crucial for a happy and healthy pet-owner relationship.
