July 20th, 2009
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If you are a dog person (or don’t have a cat), but are in the position of vacation-sitting cats, here is a tip for good relations with the other species.
Cats do not like to be stared at. When you enter the house, do not cast your eyes about for cats and do not stare at the cats you do find. DO get their food and fresh water expediently before you clean the litter. Cats who have been left while their owners are on holiday can be resentful; they don’t want you to come in and stare them down and pay more attention to the litter box than to their tummies. (Yes, if it were dogs you were vacation-sitting, you would come in boisterously, look right at them, fluff their fur, take them out immediately for a nice walk and then get to the food. For cats, you have to think differently.) |
I think I know why cats hate to be stared at. That’s what they do to each other when they’re getting ready to fight. It’s a challenge, a display of being tough enough to want the fight, if you keep staring.
And who wants to pick a fight with someone 10 times your size? But I’d guess they hate backing down too.
I’m sure you’re right. The McLane cats, who are my special charges, have nothing to fear from me. There are 20 of them and that comes to more than twice my size with 80 claws total. I live to serve modestly and without eye contact.
Greatly appreciate this tip! Cats are just NOT dogs. It can be very tiresome to train one’s sitter whilst the people are away – we do so prefer it when the sitters come prepared….pay attention and no-body gets hurt! Helen (and Raja) learnt very quickly how to behave and it all works beautifully; they have very good cat manners.
I woould love to cat sit. But I have enough to deal with here. But it shloud have enough time to feed cats and clean their litter box. I love cats and I would have maybe two more, but fives enough.
Eye contact with eye blink. Then clean the litter box. Wash hands thoroughly, proceed to give clean water (preferably with ice) and food. Wait a few minutes, then clean the litter box again.