Just as we need to look at dog psychology to determine the best way to handle a situation with a dog, we also need to look at cat psychology in relation to cats when there is any type of problem. For example, if your cat scratched the wall, many pet owners believe this is a form of vengeance upon them as if the cat was angry the pet owner left for an hour. The reason your cat most likely scratched the wall was not due to vengeance but rather boredom or the lack of mental stimulation; or out of a natural reaction.
Cat psychology is essentially looking at the world from a cat’s perspective. Cat Psychology assists us in determining why they are acting the way they are and is especially helpful in situations where “bad” behavior is presented.
Body Language in Cats
Cats of course, are much different than dogs, in that they are often not as apparent in their emotions. In order for cat psychology to be effective, we often need to look at a cat’s body language. The cat’s body language can tell us quite a bit regarding how the cat is feeling at any point in time. Learning various actions your cat uses can significantly assist you in understanding your cat and developing a larger bond with him.
Cats Are Not Human
Cats are difficult creatures to read as they are so much different than us and even much different than our other most common companion; the dog. Cats have much different thought processes than any of us and it is often more difficult for us to relate to a cat. For example, if a dog is playing with a toy he is not supposed to be playing with and you replace it with a new toy, he is likely to understand that the toy is what he should be playing with rather than the other item. A cat is less likely to understand this.
A cat’s method of communication, as previously stated, is purely in her body language. She will tell you everything she would like you to understand with her body language. With her body language, you are able to tell if she is upset, angry or content. For example, if her tail begins to quiver when he walk in the door from a day at work, she is happy to see you. If your cat is staring at someone and appears rigid, it is likely she is showing signs of aggression.
Cats are complicated creatures and can be difficult to read. If you are experiencing any trouble or have any questions about the psychology of cats, please contact our pet behavior specialist.
Learn more about clicker training for cats.
Amber Johnson, Animal Behaviorist
Miss Amber Johnson has many years of experience with pets and is a licensed cat and dog nutrition and behavior specialist. She currently collaborates with PetPremium where she counsels clients in pet behavior and nutrition. The statements made in this article are the personal opinions of Miss Amber Johnson and based on independent experiences and could be different from the opinions of PetPremium Pet health Insurance or any other pet health insurance provider.