August 19th, 2011
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Cats are emotional sponges that can quickly pick up on your mood and energy level. If you’re nervous, it may not be long before your cat becomes nervous as well. This is why your cat runs and hides when it’s time for a veterinary check-up even before you’ve taken the carrier out. He easily picks up on your nervousness about the upcoming wrangling and wrestling that will take place just to get him in the carrier. When dealing with a stressful event, take a deep breath and try to project a sense of calm. If you’re relaxed, kitty stands a better chance of being relaxed. If you’re visibly angry, your cat may tense up and become confused and scared. So even though your cat may not look as if her mood has changed, she can easily be absorbing whatever you’re projecting.
Pam Johnson-Bennett, CABC, is a certified cat behavior consultant and author of seven best-selling books. Her website is www.catbehaviorassociates.com |
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and doesn’t stop. She starts meowing and then cuts it off xD
Thank you so helpful:)
i keep my cat carriers open around the house with toys, blankets and treats in them, my kitties like to snooze in them; and when i take them to the vet in the carrier they get nervous but they feel the carrier is a safe place and when the vet is thru they scoot back in as fast as they can!
It’s 100% true! Cats know what’s going on sometimes before we do! My cat knew i was pregnant before I even knew……started acting really affectionate and was all over my stomach, marking it and guarding it while I slept. When I did find out, his behavior made a lot of sense and I realized that he sensed it almost immediately after it happened! It was unbelievable
I just found out that my 4 year old Sphynx has HCM and will have a short life. I was, of course very upset. I noticed he was depressed and clingy. I know how receptive cats are and I wasn’t thinking… Since my mood has improved he’s back to his happy and playful self. It’s hard to keep my head up, but I love him so much and want his life to be as happy as possible.
When I have to take someone to the vet, I use a few drops of Rescue Remedy a half hour before we need to leave. It comes with a dropper or I can get better results with an oral syringe. My one cat is much easier to give meds to than the other…I’ll have to keep the carriers out so they can be used as beds. Thanks for the tip.
So true! If I am anxious or upset, my cats will feel that way, too. Like any good mother, I then need to take some deep breaths and give them a better mood. Lap time or grooming helps, too.
My cats have never reacted to my emotions. Dogs usually do, though. I still prefer cats!
When I went through a tough divorce, my kitty, Garrett, was so empathetic. He curled up next to me whenever I was upset and was just a total cuddlebug. My ex-husband had to come collect some things and went to pet Garrett, who was normally the sweetest cat on the planet and who loved everyone. Garrett hissed, spit, and bit at him. Who says that kitties don’t show emotion and love in the same ways that we do?
If I talk loudly to my husband ’cause I’m excited about something, my Dallas comes running because he feels anxious that something bad is going on. He’s all over me, like comforting me as if I’m angry (but I’m not). So we just have to talk more quietly. If I ever AM upset, he knows it and also comes around as if to say, What’s wrong, mom??! They ARE emotional sponges.
So true. Once a guy hurt my feelings and I was under a blanket crying my eyes out. My kitty, Baby, got under my blanket and BIT my eyes to tell me to stop crying over that ridiculous guy! Recently my 18 year old kitty, Twinkie, got to advance to the next level. I came home from work to find my husband crying his heart out building her coffin. She was so calm and KNEW what he was doing for her. I held her for the injection since I was a vet assistant for three years. We had a beautiful ceremony and buried her on private property. It was the most positive experience I’ve ever had regarding the passing of one of my pets because we chose to make it that way. We put glow in the dark stars and photos of us and all our previous kitties inside her satin lined box. She happily went to tell them all we still loved them all. Our behavior made a big difference in her passing so peacefully. Thanks for the chance to share ths!
We have this wonderful Mackeral kitty (1yr old now) that was dumped off when she was little. She is such a blessing to us. My husband absolutely adores her. Unfortunately, since I’ve been the main person in her life while he works, she comes to me to snuggle. He would love for her to crawl in his lap to pet. Any hints as to how I can encourage this? She loves for him to pet her on the floor and usually sleeps snuggled close to him.
My cat Puddy always knew everything! I called to make a 2nd bath and nail appt. for her and she ran and hid in the closet. She of course, always knew when we were going to the vet’s because of my anxiety, which didn’t help. My neighbor said she wished she could go with Puddy to drop her off for radiation and she put her paw on my neighbors hand and stared at her. She said…ok, I’ll go, and Puddy licked her hand in thanks. The night before I had to put her to sleep, instead of our usual short walk she walked to EVERY neighbor’s front door she loved (4, all outside front doors) to say goodbye sensing what was happening. It is heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time.