My Top 10 tips on how to annoy your cat.

1.     Change their routine.

Cats are creatures of habit. Most cats love a predictable routine when it comes to feeding time, playtime, or naptime. If you are making abrupt changes to their daily routine, expect your cat to be displeased.

2.     Cuddle and hold them close.

Cats are prey and predator animals. They don’t like to be held close or restrained. Humans love to hug and cuddle; this is how we show affection. Cats are not little humans. Unless you know that cat well, have developed a bond, and built up a trust account, I would recommend not to cuddle your cat. Many clients tell me, their cat does not like to be picked up. Similar concept here, being picked off the ground usually leads to being held close. The same is valid for vet visits. Less is usually more in cats. Many veterinarians understand now that the less you restrain or bundle the cat up, the less they will panic or show resistance, and the faster you can do what needs to be done. Vaccinations or a brief check of the ears and eyes.

3.     Touch their fluffy belly.

Cats love to roll around and show their belly. Very inviting but be aware it’s a trap! Cats usually don’t like belly rubs. The fact that they show the belly doesn’t mean you should touch or rub it. Unless it’s a cat you know well.

4.     Give them no choice.

Choice and agency are important for cats. We bring them into our home and dictate their lives. When they eat, when they play, when we want them to sleep and be quiet because we want to sleep. Try to make it a habit to give them a choice whenever you can. One example is the litter box. Try different litter boxes, different types of litter, different types of boxes, and different locations. Many cats will decide quickly about their choices. The box in the basement, next to the noisy dryer, is always clean. The litter box in the bathroom, large, uncovered, and low entry, is where business happens. You have your answer right there.

Same is valid for toys, food or being petted. Give them options!

5.     Feed cold food coming out of the refrigerator.

Cats prefer lukewarm food. Lukewarm like in prey body temperature warm. Food coming out of the refrigerator is usually not very desirable. And many cats don’t like to eat the second half of a can of food coming out of the refrigerator. Add a spoonful of warm water and mix. This will help with acceptance of the food.

6.     Unfamiliar cats in sight.

Cats are territorial animals; they communicate via scent and pheromones. Bringing another cat home and expecting the resident cat to cooperate immediately can end up in aggressive behavior quickly. That’s why we recommend adopting a pair of kittens from the same litter. But I know that’s not how the cat distribution system works. Introductions can take time, and I see a lot of misinformation about how to introduce two cats that never met each other. Here is a link to my top 10 mistakes people make during cat introductions.

7.     The scent of unfamiliar cats in their nostrils.

Have you ever seen your cat open-mouth breathing? It’s called the Flehmen response, and cats do it to smell the air. The organ, therefore, sits inside the roof of the mouth and is called the vomeronasal organ (VNO). Although humans have it, its functionality is debated. The VNO plays a role in detecting pheromones. Pheromones are chemical cues that influence the social and sexual behaviors in cats. If you come home from a visit to the shelter, your backyard, or a friend with a cat, your resident cat may react very displeased with the new scent that clings to your shoes or pants.

8.     Bring out the vacuum cleaner.

I don’t think this needs much explanation. I was pleasantly surprised to see my cats are less responsive to a handheld vacuum cleaner. Both of my cats usually disappeared for hours once I pulled out the old large canister vacuum. They barely notice the quiet handheld version.

9.     Consider them low maintenance.

Depending on how you define low maintenance, a cat wants and deserves attention, love, and care. Throwing some kibbles in a bowl once per day, scooping the box once per week, and leaving them all by themselves 24/7 is not a good strategy. Cats have different needs compared to other species. You don’t need to walk them a couple of times per day for business, but scheduled play time will keep them happy.

10.  Compare them to dogs.

Cats and dogs are two different species. They don’t share the same domestication process, anatomy, body language or taste preferences. Your dog may eat the daily pill wrapped in cheese or bacon. A cat will probably eat the cheese or bacon and spit out the pill seconds later.