Understanding Your Cat's Mood
When your cat looks upset and shows signs of being unhappy, many pet owners might feel anxious and want to quickly make amends by calling out to their cat or rushing to pet them. But wait! It's important to remember that doing so can often make your cat feel even more annoyed, increase their stress, and possibly damage the hard-earned trust between you.
If you want to soothe a grumpy cat, the first step is to understand which actions are likely to upset them further.
5 Ways to Backfire When Spoiling Your Cat
1. Understanding Your Cat's Boundaries and Personal Space
Cats highly value their personal space, so they generally do not like to be suddenly touched or approached without warning. When a cat is in a bad mood, such unexpected contact can make them feel that their territory is being invaded, causing significant discomfort.
If you notice your cat flicking its tail vigorously or showing "airplane ears"—ears flattened to the sides—this is a clear sign that your cat is becoming very impatient. Approaching them further at this point might provoke an immediate defensive response, such as a swift swat or scratch.
To maintain a harmonious relationship with your feline friend, respect their boundaries and avoid surprising physical contact, especially when they are not in the mood.
2. How Loud Calling A Cat's Name Affects Their Behavior
Many people instinctively raise their voice to call their cat's name, saying something like, "Hey, [cat's name]!" However, to cats, a loud voice often sounds like yelling or scolding, which can make them more anxious and less responsive.
Over time, consistently shouting at your cat can cause them to become less willing to approach you on their own. This can gradually undermine the trust and bond you share with your pet.
3. How to Comfort Your Cat Without Spoiling It
When a cat seems to be in a bad mood, many people think, Just give it some meat puree, and it will be fine.
This trick might make the cat appear happier temporarily, but some cats might misunderstand this as anger means there will be tasty treats
. As a result, they may repeat the same behavior to get snacks.
Moreover, frequently giving snacks can disrupt the cat's regular eating schedule and affect its health. If you really want to use food to soothe your cat, avoid giving treats when the cat is angry. Instead, wait until its mood has calmed down before offering any food.
4. Understanding Your Cat's Resting Space
When you follow your cat to its resting area and see it running off to nestle in a cozy spot, many people instinctively want to stay close, thinking, "I should pay more attention." However, this approach can actually set the worst example.
When a cat needs to calm down, it usually prefers to be alone. If you keep chasing after it, you will only increase its stress levels. Over time, this can cause the cat to develop a fear of you, making it want to avoid you altogether as a source of overwhelming pressure.
5. Comparing Your Cat to Others: Why It Can Harm Their Well-being
In multi-cat households, it's common to accidentally blurt out phrases like, "Look, [cat's name] never gets angry!" Although your cat may not understand the words, they can sense the tone and attitude behind them. The atmosphere of comparison and blame can cause your cat to feel anxious or threatened, which over time makes it harder to repair your relationship.
Remember, every cat has its own personality and cannot be treated by applying the same standard to all. Appreciating each cat's unique traits helps build a more harmonious and loving environment for everyone.
How to Comfort an Upset Cat Properly
If you use the wrong approach to comfort a cat, it could become aggressive or lose its appetite. Prolonged incorrect handling might also lead to behavioral problems such as inappropriate elimination and excessive meowing, which can negatively affect the cat's health.
To prevent these issues, when your cat seems upset, be sure to respond in the right way:
- Prepare a comfortable environment.
- Keep your distance and observe your cat.
- Wait for the cat to approach you voluntarily.
- Maintain a calm and peaceful attitude.
Once your cat feels secure enough, it will quickly return to its usual adorable self!
