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Why Does My Cat Sit at the Front Door? (Escaping?)

If you have noticed your cat is hovering at the door, you may be wondering why it’s happening (Click here to see my best cat flaps to deal with this) and how you can deal with it.

Why does my cat sit at the front door? It is because she is either eagerly waiting for you to get in, wants to get out or a potential door darter. How you deal with this varies (more on this later). Either way, there is a good chance it’s one of these.

Now that you know why she is doing this, it is likely that you may be thinking of ways to get around this. Keep reading and I will reveal how you can deal with these issues and keep your cat happy at the same time.

 

How do you stop your cat from sitting at the front door?

So, now you know why your cat is sitting up the front door. This is all well and good but how do you actually deal with these problems? Well, in this section I will explain how to address these issues and potentially stop your cat moaning at the front door.

Wants to get out

Firstly let’s look at the problem of your cat jus wanting to get out. If you are inside your house and you constantly see your cat waiting at the door. This is obviously an indication that she wants to get out.

There are two ways you can deal with this:

• Training your cat.
• Or get a cat flap.

Training your cat

Training your cat may seem like a good logical thing to do. In all honesty, there is no right or wrong way to deal with it. It just comes down to your patience and how your cat will react to the training.

The training can be a simple as opening the door at a select time of day and only allowing your cat to leave when that time window is available.

It may take a few weeks for him to work out when this window is available. but when you start this it is important not to go back. Why? It will just confuse her.

Getting a cat flap

A cat flap (Click here for my best cat Flaps for your cat) is a good simple alternative. Effectively, your cat will have free reign to go and come whenever she wants to.

However, there are some really good cat flaps nowadays that will restrict access to only your cat. So, only your cat can enter the property. This is great because you do not have to worry about stray cats entering while you are at work, are you with me?

Potential Door darter

A door darter is a cat that has the potential to run out the door as soon as you open it. There could be a few reasons for this. It could be an indoor cat that is curious about going outdoors.

Or it could even be a cat that usually has access to go outside but is limited to a schedule. And, he is being a bit naughty and trying to escape on the off chance the door is open.

Either way, there is a simple way that you can deal with this. The best way to deal with this is to remove the emphasis of the front door.

What?

I mean, for example, you come home from work and the first thing you do is greet your cat at door and spend some time hugging or kissing her, right?

Well, don’t do that!

Instead, and I understand this might sound a bit harsh, completely ignore her.  And, no, I don’t mean in ignore her completely for the rest of your life, lol!

I mean, ignore her at the door for that short moment. This is to remove the emphasis and curiosity of what’s beyond the door, are you with me? It sounds a bit controversial, but with time and persistence, it can work like a dream.

Waiting for you to get in

The last reason why your cat is sitting at the door could just be because she is eagerly awaiting for you to get home from work.

Cats have a very special knack to work out your schedule and second guess when you are likely to come through the door.

Who knows how they do this without the use of watches or clocks. But, for whatever reason, it seems to work for them.

But, my point is, is this really an issue? No, in my opinion.

In fact, I think this is pretty cute. Don’t you? The only thing I would say if you have a cat that is likely to bolt through the door when you open it, then yes you have an issue.

As discussed earlier, is this is the case, it’s really a different issue, you have a “door darter” on your hands. And, if that is the case, you will need to use that same strategy I explained earlier for this.

Why is there a cat meowing at my door?

Cats often meow at doors because they are indicating to their owner, or any other human, that they need something.

Cats like attention and they know that using their meow will grab your attention, are you with me? The chances are your cat is either hungry, tired or just cold. You may even have instances where you own cats and another stray cat is randomly meowing at your door.

Why? This could just be out of sheer curiosity. Or, this cat could be anticipating that you may have food inside (smart cat, right?).

It’s your own judgment call if you want to entertain this new guest. Or maybe you prefer to be cautious because you do not want to put your other cats at risk.

What does it mean if you have cats hanging around your house?

There is an old superstition that leads to a lot of curiosity in people. It is regarding why cats are hanging around your house.

I am not talking about your own cats that you own. Instead, I am referring to random cats that you do not know about.

The rumor…

The rumor has it that this is a good indication that you have good energy and your house has positive vibes.

Therefore, you should take this as a compliment. That is if you believe in some of these superstitions or rumors that have been spread.

What about if a black cat hangs around your house?

For those of you that are into superstition. There is an additional rumor that black cats hanging around your house brings good luck.

In all honesty, this is a little bit confusing to me. Why?…

Because there is another rumor (or superstition) that if a cat crosses your path it is deemed as bad luck. So it depends on your beliefs if you want to take this on board or not.

Related Questions:

In this section, I am going to answer some questions that are related to cats, doors, etc. If you have any other related questions you need answering, feel free to drop me a comment below.

Q: Why do cats meow?

Cats tend to meow as their communication with humans. Feral cats are less likely to meow. Why?  Because they do not have much contact with humans at all.

A lot of this meowing stems from kittens meowing around their mother. This behavior transfers to you as the owner because they see you as their caregiver and someone that a contrast. Its almost as if you are there substitute mother, are you with me?

Q: Why do cats hate closed doors?

You may notice that anytime you close the door in your house you have an upset cat (or kitten) on the other side constantly scratching and meowing, right?

This is usually because the cat is very curious and knows that you are on the other side. And as discussed in the previous section, because you are seen, in their eyes, as their substitute mother. Basically, they want your attention.

Another reason for this is they see what’s beyond that door as part of their territory. Meaning that they want to make sure that they have access to their territory and can walk around it at their leisure.

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Do Cats Need Night Lights? (See in the dark?)

If you have a new cat you be wondering how to deal with them at night (click here for my 3 best night lights for cats. In particular, if night lights are required or add any benefit.

Do cats need night lights? No, cats do not need night lights. However, it can be helpful for us and the cats in certain situations. Such as elderly or young kittens with known vulnerabilities (more on this later).

Now that you know that cats don’t need night lights, but understand that it can help. Let me now explain the befits of cats having a night light, confirm if cats really can see in complete darkness if they are really nocturnal and much more…

What are the benefits of cats having a night light?

Earlier I briefly explained that cats don’t need a night light. However, there are certain scenarios that a night light will benefit them…

• An old aged cat that gets distressed easily.
• A new kitten that is a bit nervous
• Avoiding tripping over your cat in dim/dark light.

An old aged cat that gets distressed easily

If you have an older cat, then you will know that sometimes they can get anxious or distressed easily. To avoid this happening, you can simply use a night light to give them peace of mind. This isn’t the solution to all of her problems, but it will help, are you with me?

A new kitten that is a bit nervous.

If you have a new kitten, that may be a bit nervous in its new surroundings. a night light may be able to help. This simple light might help her to feel a bit more secure at night and give you a better night’s sleep.

Avoiding tripping over your cat

Aside from your cat’s benefit, you may even benefit from a night light. Why? Well, you can avoid simple things like tripping over your cat during the night or any other object for that matter.

Can cats see in complete darkness?

You may have heard rumors that cats can see in complete darkness. And for that reason, it may seem obvious that they will never need a night light, right? But, can they really see in complete darkness?

According to this site, cats have superior night vision than us humans. But to quantify this, they say cats have the ability to capture up to fifty percent more light than us.

This is all well and good, but it does not mean that they can actually see in pitch-black darkness, are you with me?

Why can cats see so well in the dim light?

Now that you understand that cats have the ability to see better in muted light. It may make you wonder, why can they see so well?

This comes down to genetics. Cats are physically built better in this area, to deal with low/dim light. in particular the following:

• Large eyes (Disproportionate to their head size)
• Flexible Irises
• High Rod count (in comparison to us humans)

Large eyes (Disproportionate to their head size)

Firstly, they have large eyes. Have you ever really looked at a cat’s eyes closely? In particular, looking at the size of their eyes in comparison to the size of their head? Well, take it from me, they are disproportionate and big, which is a bonus for dim light.

Flexible Irises

Your cat is also gifted with great Irises. I call them flexible Irises because they open very wide, especially in comparison to us humans.

This helps a lot with dim light because they can take in as much light as possible, even when there is much light available.

High Rod Count

Their retinas, that make up the back of their eyes (same as ours), according to this site, have two major cell types for light sensitivity. These cells are known as:

• Rods
• Cones

The rods, in particular, are what we are interested in here. Why? Because they reflect light. This is a big factor in their night vision. We all have rods by the way, humans, and cats.

But, the big difference is the number of rods. Cats have roughly four times the amount that we have, which makes a big difference for vision in dim light.

Are cats really nocturnal?

Maybe you have the rumors that cats are nocturnal. If not, take it from me, many people believe that this is the case. But, id this correct?

The reality is they are not nocturnal, strictly speaking. In fact, they are crepuscular. But what does this really mean? It means that they are generally more active at dusk and dawn.

But, why are cats active at this time?

In the last section, I explained that cats are crepuscular, meaning they are active at dusk & dawn. But you may be wondering why this might be? Is there any reason why they are more active at these times?

Yes, there is a reason. It revolves around the activity of their prey. In particular mice and rats. They are also active around this time. Meaning, logically, they have adjusted to increase their chances of a successful hunt.

You may be thinking, well domestic cats do not need to hunt, right? Well, that’s correct, they don’t. But, it is ingrained in their instincts to be up at this time.

It could be advantageous to have food available for them during these times to increase the chances of them not roaming around looking for food.

Do Cats Get Lonely at night time?

You may be wondering if these cats can see well in low light, do they ever get lonely and yearn for human attention in the night? Yes, they do, but why does this happen?

This is because cats are naturally social animals, they thrive off attention and contact with their owners. If they are not feeling tired at night, they will get lonely. And, the likelihood is, they will start bugging you when you are trying to get some sleep.

The best way around this is to keep them super active in the daylight hours, so they feel tired in the night. This will keep them off your back during the night hours, are you with me?

Related Questions:

In this section, I will be answering some related questions on cats, night lights and other closely related topics. If you have any additional questions feel free to drop a comment below.

Q: Do cats like sleeping with humans?

Yes. Cats do like sleeping with us humans (Click here to see if cats like to being under blankets?). You may even notice them trying to snuggle up right next to your head to feel your body head and avoid being nudged by your arms and legs during the night.

Q: How do I stop my cat waking me up at 4 AM?

The best way to stop your cat waking you up at 4 AM is to keep her active in the day. Effectively, you want to wear her out in the day so she is less likely to bug you.

Alternatively, a more direct, and arguably harsher method, is to shut her out of your bedroom. Yes, she will bug you initially. In the form of crying and scratching on the door. But, in time this will stop and you will get your quality sleep back.

In reality, she should have her own cat bed anyway (Click here for my best big cat beds).

Q: Is it ok to leave your cat alone for 3 days?

No, it is not ok to leave your cat alone for 3 days. In reality, you should not be leaving them alone for more than 24 hours unattended. And, even then they need a food and water supply to sustain them (Click here to see how to feed cats wet food while you are away).

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Why is my new kitten crying at night? (Lonely/Meowing)

If you have received a new kitten, there is a good chance she is keeping you up at night with her constant meowing, right? Apart from using a night light (Click here for my best 3 night lights for cats) you need to understand all your options. Keep reading…

Why is your new kitten crying at night? your new kitten is crying due to one of the following: lonely, missing her mother, hungry, thirsty or feeling anxious (could be related to other cats). In some cases, it could be more than one of these issues.

Now that you know the type of issues that can be causing this constant meowing, let me move on to explain more detail about these issues, as well as proposing some solutions to stop it happening.

Common reasons for new kittens crying

Earlier I gave you a brief idea as to why your cat is crying. I’m going to give you some more detail on those reasons to help you understand, as well as more common suggestions. Here are the common reasons:

• New environment
• Boredom
• Hunger
• Missing her mother

New environment.

If you have recently moved to a new house, this can make a big difference in your cat’s life. By nature cats really do not like changes and it takes them a while to adjust to the new environment. Believe it or not, this simple move could be causing them to be constantly meowing at night.

Boredom.

Boredom is another known issue which can cause this. You may be wondering why right? Your cat is quite an affectionate creature and needs love, activity and kept active.

It’s important to keep him entertained so that he doesn’t get bored and keep you up at night.

Hunger.

Hunger is one of the main issues which can cause meowing at night. You may feel that you have fed your cat enough during the day but even so, she may get a little bit peckish during the night.

And this may be why she is calling and crying out to you at night. The best way is to make sure he is fully satisfied before you hit the pillow.

Missing its mother.

New kittens are unfortunately big business for breeders. So, they are often sold way before they are psychologically (and physically) ready. This means that they are often left lonely and whining for their mother at night.

Other Cats

Another potential issue is other cats in your area. These cats may be traumatizing your little kitty. Making them feel upset and meowing at all hours of the night.

What should you do with your kitten at night-time?

When you have a new kitten sometimes it is hard to adjust and work out how to keep her happy. Especially at night. But what do you do when it’s night time to keep her happy? Good question, in this section I’m going to address this.

Her own Cat bed

It is tempting to get them comfortable next to you or in your bedroom during the night but it is a bad habit and something that could come back and buy you in the near future. The problem is, like a new baby, if they get comfortable they will expect it every night.

Therefore, it is better to get them used to sleep in their own cat bed (Click here for my 5 best cat beds for Kittens) as soon as possible.

You can opt for a large cat bed and pad it out with additional pillows and sheets so that it is more comfortable. Alternatively, you can get a smaller sized bed,  then simply upgrade it as she gets bigger.

What should you do during the day?

During the day or at night correction in the evening you will be happy or shall I say your new kitten will be happy to relax near you whether this be chilling on the sofa or just lounging in the sitting room with you.

In time you may even notice that your kitten is taking short naps during the day in the same sofa bed that you have laid out for the night-time.

How can you make the meowing stop?

You may be wondering how you can actually make them stop meowing? There are a number of ways to achieve this and in all honesty, you need to try some of these techniques I’m going to share with you and see how your cat responds, are you with me?

Keep her active during the day.

One of the biggest factors is the fact that your cat is full of energy at night-time and lounges around in the day. This causes you problems because when you need to get your sleep your cat is feeling active and meowing for your attention.

Therefore, you can get around this by keeping them active during the day. Effectively, you need to tire them out so they rest at night.

Pushing the mealtime back.

Another technique that you can use this to purposely push their meal time towards the end of the day. The idea here is to keep them hungry up until a later slot in the evening.

This way, they will be content and full before you go to bed. This will reduce the chances of them waking up and meowing during the night when you’re trying to sleep.

I will be honest, you may encounter some challenges with this method if you are free-feeding your cat (Click here to see how to feed your cat wet food while you are away) (link to article). Free feeding cats will find it hard to shift to a schedule based diet but this is something that you can consider doing if you are constantly being handed with meowing at night.

Providing enough water.

During the night time, it is essential that they have got a good supply of water. This is so that they don’t become thirsty and dehydrated. To be honest this is best practice at most times but essential at night-time.

Therefore, provide a nice supply of water. Ideally, you’ll have a pet cat water fountain (click here to see my 3 Best cat water fountains) alternatively provide a bowl.

Keep a tidy litter tray.

One problem that could be causing the issue which is a dirty litter tray, there is a simple way you can improve things. Cats are instinctively clean animals and will not tolerate a dirty cat litter tray.

In fact, they are likely to just stop using it if it’s dirty, or end up using your house as a litter tray, if you know I mean?

Therefore, you should clean it out before going to bed to make sure that this is not going to be a problem that’s going to keep you up at night.

Give them more attention.

We talked earlier about kittens being removed from their mothers too early, right? It is important that these young cats get a lot of love and attention. And, if they feel they are not getting this they could start complaining.

And complaining, for a cat, is in the form of meowing. And unfortunately, this is typically at night-time when you least want it.

Therefore, to get around this, it is a good idea to give them enough love and attention during the waking hours so that they feel happy and content in their environment.

Providing a night light.

Night lights are a good way to keep a kitten happy during the night (Click here to see my 3 best night lights for kittens). It is not essential but you may find it will help them to feel more comfortable, especially if they’re in a new environment.

Can I put my kitten in a separate room at night?

Yes, you can put your kitten inside a separate room at night, however, it is important that you prepare the room correctly.

The room needs to feel comfortable for your kitten which will entice them to stay in the room so that you can focus on getting some sleep.

How should a cat room look?

In the previous section, I talked about using a separate room for your kitten (or cat room if you like). But, how should this room look? This is what I would like to discuss now.

The cat room is a room like any other, but it’s important that you choose the right room for this. For example, the kitchen is not a good idea for a cat room. Why? because there are so many objects which could harm your kitten. Such as knives, plates, and things that could cause problems.

The bathroom may be a good contender as long as you prepare the room in such a way that there aren’t any dangerous items that are looking for your kitten to use.

When you want to start using the room it’s important that you make sure the room has:

• litter tray
• supply of food
• water
• entertainment

This entertainment, by the way, could be a cat tree (click here for my 3 best cat trees) or it could be some kind of soft cat toy that they can use to keep them entertained.

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Why do cats poop when you get home (Is it Normal)?

Are you wondering why your cat is waiting for you to poop after you get in after a long day’s work and saving the stench for you as you walk in the house? (Click here for my best air purifier to eradicate these smells, on Amazon) Then you will be happy because today will explain why this is happening.

Why do cats poop when you get home? It is their weird way of feeling secure. It’s similar to dog psychology. Basically they rely on you to feel that they are safe because they trust you. When they poop they are vulnerable, hence their caution during this time.

Now that you understand why this is happening, it may make you tolerate the smell and irritation this causes a bit more (If not click for my guide on the best Air purifiers (Winix Air Purifier vs Honeywell vs Envion (for Cat/Odor/Dander).

Let me now go on to explain how “SAS” is linked to this (and what it is), how cat anxiety can cause-related issues, how you can deal with this and more. Keep reading…

How is SAS linked to Common poop-related issues?

As well as finding your cat waiting for you to get home and pooping, you may have already noticed (or may soon see) occasions when your cat eliminates (poops) in random places. Basically not in its litter tray, are you with me?

For this reason, I am going to explain why this happens, to help you understand this.

What is “SAS”

SAS is an acronym for Separation Anxiety Syndrome. Its a posh word for your cat feeling homesick. In particular missing mummy. This is caused by unnecessarily early separation from your cat’s original mother.

This separation anxiety causes this mischievous behavior. I use the term “mischievious” loosely because in your cat’s head it’s not really naughty. It is just an inconvenience to you.

What other things do anxious cats do?

If you have seen some of this misbehavior, you may be wondering what else may happen, just so you can prepare yourself, or find a way to stop it. Let me explain.

Excessive Grooming

Another related behavior associated with anxiety is excessive grooming. And let me clarify, this is not like us humans looking in the mirror obsessing on our hair and clothes. This is more intensive, and painful for cats.

What do I mean?

Well, Obsessive grooming for them means pulling out clumps of fur due to frustration. In extreme cases, it can get really bad. When I say bad, it can result in entire areas of their body, e.g. their entire belly, are you with me?

How can you help a “needy” cat?

Now that you have heard some of these horror stories, you may be anxious yourself, wondering what you can do to help your cat, before it spirals out of control, right?

The reality is, anxiety can be quite broad, it could be related to friction with another local cat, or your cat feeling neglected. So, there is no one size fits all remedy, unfortunately.

However, there are some basic things that you can do to help that are just good practice anyway. So, even if it’s not the full solution, it won’t waste your time.

Quality Time

The best thing you can do is to make your cat feel wanted and NOT neglected. So, the objective is to spend more quality time. Such as scheduling in some playtime sessions and making her feel wanted.

Treats

Another technique could be surprising your kitty with some lovely treats. This can be given directly or cunningly hidden around the house so she gets random treats throughout the day or working week.

Why might stop your cat stop using their litter tray?

Earlier we talked about anxiety being a major factor why you may see unexpected poop in places. But, this is not always the issue. For that reason, I am going to explain other things that can make this happen.

Physical issues

Sometimes your cat may have genuine physical problems that prevented her from getting to the litter tray. This could be things like joint-related pain. These problems could slow them down making it difficult to get to the tray in time.

Even issues such as diarrhea could be a factor. Why? Simple, because they may find it hard to get to the tray in time if the diarrhea is really aggressive, are you with me?

The best way to get to the bottom of this is to consult your vet to clarify your theories. Once you know for sure you can make a move to improve the situation.

Related Questions:

In this section, I will answer some questions related to cats and eliminating poop. If you feel there are questions unanswered in your head, please feel free to drop a comment below.

Q: Why does my cat not cover his poop?

Could be two issues: displaying dominance or she is unhappy with the actual litter. Let me explain…

Dominance

Instinctively cats will cover up their poop. So, it is weird to see the feces left uncovered. However, in some cases, this can be a deliberate and strategic move by your cat. This is based on dominance. Basically, they will leave it like this to send a message to the rival cat that they are in charge.

Not happy with the litter

This obviously speaks for itself. You may find that the fact that your cat has not covered its poop, is actually nothing to do with dominance. It could be as simple as she does not like the litter anymore.

Maybe you have changed the litter recently? Simple things like the texture of the litter could actually turn her off from using it.

Q: Why do cats eliminate then run from the feces?

This typically points to a health issue. They could literally be running away with pain or discomfort. If you have seen this, it’s probably quite confusing. It may even look like your cat is scared of the poop, right?

Well, as I briefly mentioned. There is a good chance it’s linked to some kind of pain or discomfort experienced while she is pooping. Unfortunately, there are a few potential issues that you will need to look into or get advice from your vet.

These issues can include infections of the urinary tract, colon or rectum issues. It may even be as simple as a bad case of constipation. Either way, best to get it checked out with your vet.

Q: What makes a cat use a litter tray?

This is instinctive (Click here for my article of how cats know how to use a litter tray) cats do this by nature. Its almost like me asking you, how do you know how to use the toilet? It just happened, right? Same for cats.

This stemmed from the wild when they were keen to cover their tracks from predators. So, a clever way to do this was to literally cover their poop, so their predators wouldn’t smell or see evidence of them being there.

Q: What causes a cat to make a noise near the litter tray?

This is usually a health issue (Click here for my article on why cats meow before pooping). Typically your cat is feeling some form of pain during elimination and this causes the noise. It’s best to get advice from your vet to confirm because there are many potential issues for this.

Q: How can you get rid of unwanted cat smells?

Using an air purifier (Click here to see my top selections) or even adding more litter boxes can help (Click here for my article on ways to stop the smell is apartments). Obviously there are many ways to do this, but these things will help a great deal depending on your particular issue.

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Why do cats like fuzzy blankets? (Obsessed?)

Has your cat been taking over your Fuzzy blanket recently? We know they love these things, but why do they adore them so much? Let me explain…

Why do cats like fuzzy blankets? They love the way it makes them feel. In particular, the soft, cozy and fluffy texture that the blanket has. This is even more appreciated in the winter months when its “snuggle” season.

Now that you know why they love them so much, let me explain exactly what I mean by the term “Fuzzy Blanket”, what they are made of. Also, let me reveal some of the deep psychological issues linked to their fascination with these blankets. Keep reading.

What do I mean by “fuzzy blankets”?

You may have noticed that cats just simply love to cozy up to Fuzzy blankets. When I say “fuzzy” blankets, I’m talking about the fleece material that is used on most blankets these days (more on this later).

Fuzzy blankets are very comfortable for cats, but more than anything, they love the fact that it feels soft and it locks the warmth in very well, which is one of the materials best qualities.

The “Yam”

I remember the “Yam”, it tasted delicious. My mother prepared this delicious Caribbean delight for me on some occasions. For some reason, as I crunched into its soft texture I recalled being in front of a lovely warm calor gas fire, yes, that was the rage back then.

As I laid there in extacy I remember snuggling up with my warm Fleece blanket thinking, nothing could be better. This reminds me of the feeling one of these cats must feel as they are wrapped up in a warm fuzzy blanket.

What are Fuzzy Blankets made from?

As I mentioned earlier, they are made from a material called Fleece. Ironically, it’s named after the woolen fleece of a sheep, however, it has no real connection with wool at all.

It’s only real connection is, it’s been designed to mimic the qualities of a sheep’s wool. Such as warmth and ability to let your skin breathe while you wear it. However, it is 100% synthetic and is actually made from plastic.

Magic Material

Many people refer to it as a magic material because it has a very soft texture and keeps people warm in the winter months. Hence the reason why it’s very popular not just for cats, but also amongst us humans too.

Lazatoo!

This was the sound I could hear in the back of my mind as I reminisce on my days of martial arts. My instructor would ring out this call “Lazatoo”! as he pilled in the demonstrations in the dojo, as he thrashed his fists into the air.

I just recall rolling up the arms of my martial arts fleece jumper after every session, and it reminded me of this magic material, and flashbacks to feeling comfortable after each session with it on.

Who invented Fuzzy blankets?

The Fleece, used in these Fuzzy blankets, also known as “Polar fleece”, was originally created by the company called Malden Mills in 1979, according to Wikipedia.

It was created to mimic wool, with the ability to scale production, which was achieved using plastic as its main ingredient.

This material was deliberately not patented by the Malden Mill’s CEO Aaron Feuerstein. It is believed the reasons behind this was to make the fleece material become widely available and more importantly, from a commercial perspective, mass-produced.

In hindsight, if this was their objective, it worked really well. And even to this day, it is still used for day-to-day items. These items are not just limited to blankets. This includes tracksuits, jumpers and a whole host of different products.

Let’s be honest, where would we be without these Fleeces in this day and age? Who knows, where we would be, right?

Using fuzzy blankets for separation issues.

One of the reasons cats love fuzzy blankets is linked to separation issues. This is also closely linked to “blanket sucking”, which some cats tend to do. If you are a cat owner maybe you’ve seen your cat do this?

It is believed that this behavior is due to early separation from its mother. It is strongly advised to not separate kittens from their mother until they are at least 8 weeks old. However, in reality, it still happens.

Are certain breeds of cats more inclined to do this?

For some reason, oriental cats, in particular, Siamese breeds, are more inclined to be attached to blankets like this.

There doesn’t seem to be any logical reason why they are more inclined to act like this, it is just one of the facts of life. They are often known to take longer to wean off their mother as well.

The art of blanket relaxation.

Earlier, we touched on the subject of kittens suffering from separation issues, and being reliant on fuzzy blankets. However, general relaxation is another big reason for this fascination with blankets. These fuzzy blankets offer them relaxation and comfort.

In a weird way, it is linked to separation issues. How? Well, this warmth and comfort gives them a similar feeling that was once experienced when they were around their mother and siblings, are you with me?

Related questions:

In this section, I am going to answer some questions related to Cats & fuzzy blankets. If you feel there are some questions unanswered, feel free to drop a comment below.

Q: Do cats prefer cuddle cups as opposed to Fuzzy blankets?

No. Cats do love cuddle cups, but there is no real evidence that they prefer cuddle cups over Fuzzy Blankets.

For those that do not know what a cuddle Cup is, it is basically a blanket which covers the cat in a kind of basket, that is cup-shaped. It is a very similar concept to a blanket and therefore the benefits of pretty much the same.

Q: Why does my cat sit and stare at me?

If you find your cat staring at you, do not be freaked out by this. In reality, there are two main reasons for this…

Firstly, they have a natural Instinct to always be on the lookout and stare at any movement. Why? Because they are always on the lookout for predators.

Lastly, the most common reason is, she really cares for you. And, she’s always interested in what you’re up to. Simply because she likes to follow your lead.

Q: Why is my cat being clingy all of a sudden?

If your cat is becoming quite clingy, and it is out of character, it could be an issue. It could be a sign that she is feeling ill. Some cats like to be around people that they trust during these times.

It may not be anything to worry about. But, if you are concerned, the best cause of action is to consult your vet.

In extreme cases, it could be linked to seizures. But to be honest it’s not worth overthinking it. It’s better to get it checked out and see for sure.

Q: If my cat is neutered, can he still hump blankets?

Yes, as weird as this sounds it is still possible (Click here for my full article on Why cats hump blankets). And in fact, it is quite common.

The reasons for this is they still have animal instincts that are hard to overcome. Regardless if they have been medically altered.

Q: What is a Pica?

Pica is a term used for a cat that has a tendency to suck or bite on non-food items. This is similar to what we discussed earlier about cats sucking on blankets. This is typically seen for a number of reasons such as anxiety stress or even illness in some cases. And obviously, as discussed, often linked to separation issues from their mother.

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How often Should You Clean Your Cat Bowl?

If you are keen to keep your cat clean and healthy, their cat bowl (Click here for my best cat bowl on Amazon)  is a great place to start. But, how often should you really be cleaning them to keep it hygienic?

how often should you clean your cat bowl? You should be cleaning your cat bowls after every meal. Then every few days you should do a more thorough clean. And finally, you should sanitize them at least once a week.

Now that you know how often you should be cleaning the bowl. Let me explain how you should clean it, the dangers of not cleaning it, the best bowls to choose and more. Keep reading.

Is the daily clean a big time suck?

The daily clean may sound a lot if you have not been doing this, but it’s necessary. However, this does not need to be an in-depth clean after every meal. You can just remove chunks of food and rinse in warm soapy water at this stage.

The dangers of bacteria

You may, or may not know. But, pet bowls are one of the most germ-infested items in our homes. In fact, it is not a lot worse than your kitchen sponge.

But, how does this happen?

You may be thinking that “this is just food, what’s the big deal?”, well it is actually a big deal. The problem is its quite hard to see how it’s happening.

Firstly the food left over by your cat will naturally attract bacteria, this is just nature. In addition to this, there are microbes that are typically in your cat’s mouth. These microbes transfer to the bowl from the saliva in her mouth.

This is an ideal environment for the growth of many pathogens and bacteria. According to this site, it includes Salmonella, e. coli, and more.

Do you need bleach?

If I have got you ultra-paranoid now, with all this talk of bacteria, salmonella, etc, you may be wondering if you should be using bleach to do an even thorough clean.

Some people swear by it, using a combination of bleach and water. This is down to preference really. Later on, in this article, I will suggest other ways to give your bowl a good clean.

What you should be doing daily

The key thing is, keeping on top of it on a daily basis. Use hot soapy water, not just room temperature. This will help to get rid of some of the germs.

As you do it, run your hands around the bowl. This is to remove any obvious chunks of food that may have built up. This can be quite hard to remove later, so best to deal with it now, are you with me?

The idea is to keep going until there is no slimy residue or chunks in the bowl. In reality, this should not take too long. Once you remove all the dirt and grime you are good to go.

In reality, this should be common sense. Also, it will make you feel better about it once you see a lovely clean bowl for each meal with kitty.

What about a dishwasher?

Earlier I mentioned some people use bleach to clean them. But, another simple way to keep them clean is to use your dishwasher. The good thing is, your dishwasher runs at high temperatures and scrubs the bowls. It does a lot better job than we can do.

Some things to consider though

Yes, the dishwasher is good. But there are some practical and moral dilemmas to consider.

• Should you be mixing these bowls with your family’s plates?
• Should you be doing multiple washes per day, for your cat?

Mixing the bowls

The debate about mixing your pet’s bowls comes down to preference. In reality, the dishwasher will do all the “heavy lifting”. Meaning, it will clean these bowls without discrimination.

But, it still feels weird putting your cat bowl in with your kid’s plates, right? I get it. For some reason, I wouldn’t do it. But, I wouldn’t judge anyone who did this. In fact, it makes logical sense.

Multiple Washes, or Nah?

If you are clever, you may be thinking you will need many dish washes to stay on top of the cat bowls. Well, yes if you stick with your current number of bowls you will be contently waiting for the dishwasher.

What is the answer? Simple, buy more bowls. In the scheme of things, its a good investment.

Does the type of cat bowl matter?

You may be wondering if the type of cat bowl makes a big difference. Well, yes it does really. Especially from a hygienic perspective. The problem is, some may look great, but they are not as hygienic as you may think. Let me explain…

Stainless Steel Bowls

Ideally, you should be using a stainless steel bowl (Click here to see the price on Amazon). Why? Because these bowls are the most hygienic, easy to wash and look great, simple as that.

How About Ceramic Bowls?

Ceramic bowls are good as well. However, I would put them in second place, after steel bowls. Why? Because they look good, but they have a tendency to crack. If they crack, they are not hygienic.

The big concern is the small cracks that may not always be obvious.

Avoid Plastic Bowls

You may be considering a cheap plastic cat bowl. Personally I wouldn’t do it. Why? Because they tend to collect micro scratches that can collect bacteria. The problem is, these little scratches are almost always not detected.

Should you also clean the Matt under the bowl?

If you have a mat underneath your cat bowl, this also needs cleaning. Why? Because it carries dirt and bacteria as well. Think about it, every time food drops onto it, from the dirty cat bowl, it soils the mat. In time, this too can become a hot-bed for bacteria.

To do this you need hot soapy water. Basically, the hotter the better. This is necessary because it helps to get rid of harmful bacteria. However, when you are finished do not make the same mistake other people make, by drying it off with their kitchen towel.

Why? Simple, it will just contaminate the mat or the towel in the process. So, what’s the best practice? The best thing is to simply let it drip dry.

Also, you need to clean up the sink you are using, when you are done. This will help to stop any bacteria passing on to other utensils or food items.

Extra precautions (for raw meat)

The chances are, this will not be required for your cat. But in the unlikely event that you serve raw meat, you need to take extra precautions. You need to to make sure you really sanitize the bowl. Not just the bowl, but the surface around it too.

This can be achieved by using a combination of bleach and water. Ideally, a quarter cup of bleach with a gallon of water will usually do it.

Related Questions:

In this section, I will answer some questions related to how often you should clean your cat bowl. If you have other questions, not answered here, please feel free to drop me a comment below.

How often should you give your cat water? As a guide, you should be giving them approx 3 to 4 ounces per 5 pounds of body weight. However, the mistake a lot of cat owners make is to underestimate the volume of water consumed in their food. Especially if they are fed wet food. This counts.

The reality is, wet food is as much as 75% water. Meaning if you give kitty a standard 5-ounce can, about 4 ounces of that is water. Meaning, this will make a good contribution to her daily intake, are you with me?

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Why do cats get scared easily?

If you have a scared cat, it can be frustrating. It could be for a number of reasons, such as anxiety (Click here for my best solution for this, see the price on Amazon). However, what is the main reason for this behavior? Let me explain…

Why are cats scared all the time? This can be because they feel separated from their biological mother, had bad experiences in their past, which has destroyed their confidence, feel unsettled by new family members and various other reasons.

Now you understand why they are so scared at a high level, let me explain in detail why each of these issues occurs, if it’s normal for them to be like this, how to avoid picking up a cat that may act like this and so much more. Keep reading…

Why are cats scared all the time?

Cats are naturally scared of things. Have you ever heard of the saying: “Don’t be a scaredy-cat?”. Well, it’s based on reality and inspired by the behavior of many cats.

You will find that cats are scared of many things including loud noises. They have sensitive hearing. Anything that is loud is likely to scare them off.

Separation Issues

There are theories that cats are typically scared and fearful because the were separated from their mother and surrounded in a world of humans. They typically trust their cat owner and that’s it. Anyone else could be a concern for them.

Abused cats may react worse…

You will find out abused or stray cats are even more fearful of humans. This is understandable,  anyone would assume if you’ve had a bad experience with people, then you are likely to be more cautious going forward, right?

Moving to a new home

If you move to a new home you may find that your cat is acting a bit scared. This is because a new environment poses new risks. And, they are unfamiliar with the area.

Loud appliances

This includes things such as blenders, microwaves, etc. Basically, anything that beeps, bangs, rumbles or makes sounds that your cat’s not familiar with. This can make them feel scared and worried and fearful .

New family members

Unfortunately, even if you have a little cute baby that has been introduced to your family it can make your cat fearful.

The baby makes lots of noise, weird squeaks and sounds that your cat is not familiar with. So, unfortunately, you may find it doesn’t take to the new bubba very well. Especially, in the early days. In time, after it has time to settle in, you may see that this will change.

Cucumbers (Really?)

Believe it or not, cats are really scared of cucumbers (click here to see why cats fear cucumbers). There are a number of reasons why they are scared of this (Check out my article above for the full scoop).

How personality types affect your cat

As you can expect, humans have different personality types and traits. They affect people in different ways. Meaning, they react to certain things and sounds very different.

This is similar behavior for cats. Every cat is different and has the ability to react in a different way.

Therefore it’s important to identify how your cat behaves in certain situations to ascertain if it is ideal for them to be in a certain environment, are you with me?

Let me give you an example…

Let’s say that you run a very busy shop in the town center. And, you have a pet cat that works with you.

If you have a very timid cat, that is scared of people (You know, very shy and reserved). It is probably not a good idea to have that cat anywhere near that store, know what I mean?

Why?

Because that cat will constantly be in fear. It is not right for that cat to be in that environment. Its personality type does not match its environment.

However, on the other hand, if you have a cat that is very bold and loves to meet new people. Then, this might be the ideal environment for him.

Understand this, it is important not to try and push a cat beyond its comfort level. Because this would be going against the grain. It will cause your cat a lot of stress and headache. And, let’s be honest, you’re the one that has to deal with it, right?

The importance of giving your cat an escape route.

Focusing on changing your cat behavior or their personality type is one thing. But, to be honest it’s not always realistic.

Therefore, you should be more interested in learning how you can deal with your cat. Having an escape route for a scared cat is, in my opinion, mandatory.

But let me give you an example of this…

Let’s say that you have a particularly scaredy-cat and you know this. Let’s say you were doing some form of exercise, such as yoga. You are in your front room, and you have noticed, from previous bad experiences, your cat does not like your loud music while you exercise.

In this situation, it is a good idea to have a door open or a cat flap available. This is so he can make his way out of the room, He can then go into his safety zone, where he feels comfortable.

You can use this example for many other situations that may make your cat feel uncomfortable and adapt it as you may.

Is it normal for a cat to be hiding all the time?

If you have a real scaredy-cat, and you are finding it hard to get him to come out because he is always hiding. For example, hiding under a bed or in some concealed position in your house.

It is easy to wonder if this is normal behavior or not. To be honest, this is not normal, in my opinion. But, it is quite common.

The unfortunate thing about this is, it can make a disappointing pet. Especially if you have a very busy household with multiple kids, spouse and maybe even grandparents.

How do you deal with this?

The best way to deal with this is to be patient and try and work around the problem, patiently. Rather than trying to force a cat to do something it doesn’t really want to do.

How can you check for a nervous kitten before they turn into an adult?

I understand you may be looking for a new kitten and you’ve heard people talk about the problems they have with their existing kitten or adult cat acting scared and reserved.

But how do you avoid this happening to you? In particular, before you actually choose and pick up the kitten?

The reality is it is quite hard to get this done perfectly. But, there are some logical steps that you can follow to reduce the risk of this happening. Let’s discuss now…

Checking their background

Firstly choosing A reputable breeder that breeds pedigree cats would be a very good start. You may have to pay slightly more for these cats but, in the long run, it will be beneficial to you.

Avoiding Ferrell or Wildcats

Checking the history, as I mentioned earlier, is critical. Another thing that will help is to find out if the cats have been gathered from the wild. Check if they are from a group of feral cats (Click here to see how feral cats deal with fleas).

Trust me, if they are wild or feral, you will find it very hard to tame and gain their trust. If you’re lucky, with time and a lot of work,  you might be able to get it to trust you personally.

But, you will find that any other human being that it comes into contact with it will not have the same trust. And, any loud noise may trigger it to run for the hills.

Should you tiptoe around your nervous or anxious cat?

If you have problems with a scared or anxious cat it may feel instinctive for you to tread very carefully around them and tiptoe around your house, to try and make them feel more comfortable.

Unfortunately, you will find that this will not benefit you.

You may find it may work in reverse because your cat is not getting a realistic view of how day-to-day domestic life is.

And, in the event that they start to get used to you tiptoeing around them, and a visitor comes round, they will get a taste of reality and go back into their shell.

So, what is the right way to do it?

Good question, in my opinion, the best way to do it is to avoid giving them direct eye contact, tiptoeing around the house and acting weird.

Direct eye contact and facing them as they entered the room makes them feel under pressure and the focal point of attention. This should be avoided.

Therefore, when you do this it makes them want to run away because they feel threatened by you.

I understand you mean well. It’s quite hard to not act in this way. But, if you want your cat to snap out of it and feel comfortable around humans and day-to-day domestic life, you need to stop it.

Ignoring the kitten and making him feel invisible

The best way to do it is to conduct your day to day life and avoid direct eye contact with the cat. It sounds a bit harsh, but almost as if the cat doesn’t exist.

As crazy as this sounds it allows your cat to start to feel comfortable around you and seek you out when it feels comfortable with you.

Don’t get me wrong this could take a long time and a lot of persistence. But, in time if you stick with it they will seek you out and start to come to you. And, gradually, they will start to trust and feel comfortable around you.

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Why Do Cats Get in Your Face While You Sleep? (+Pic)

If you have ever woken up to a cat on your head, you may be wondering why, of all places, has this cat decided to lay in your face? You may think if I get a cat bed (Click here to see my best cat bed & price, on Amazon) that will help, right? Well, let me explain why they do this…

Why do cats get in your face when you’re sleeping? Because they want to feel protected while they sleep and also avoid being crushed by your body weight. Think about it, a cat is not silly. It knows your arms and legs may thrash around in the night, so your head is perfect to keep them safe and warm.

Now that you know why cats get in your face, let me explain why they even enjoy your bed in the first place, how they show their affection, why they may jump on you while you are sleeping and more. Keep reading.

Why do cats get in your face when you’re sleeping?

The reason they’re getting in your face when you’re sleeping is because it’s a safety issue.  Basically, your head is unlikely to be swishing a moving around, which could inadvertently hit the cat.

Cats are not silly, they know that your arms or body may roll on to them and squash them in the night. So, they opt for your head, it’s their best option.

So, for that reason, they opt for your head and stay there to keep themselves safe. Also, in most cases, they won’t stay in that exact same position all night. They may switch that position once they see you start stirring and showing signs that you are about to wake up.

This is an indication to them that it might not be long before they get fed or get some attention from you, are you with me?

Why does a cat even want to sleep in your bed?

This is a good question, cats will sleep in your bed even if they have their own cat bed. Why? Because they feel protected by you. Take this as a compliment, the mere fact that she wants to be near you in this intimate location means she trusts you completely. And, feels that you will offer protection.

On the flip side, there are times when your cat feels that it wants to protect you, simply by being in your bed with you. So, it kind of works both ways.

What other ways do cats show their affection?

Basically, cats have a number of ways to show affection. The reality is it is very different from a human being, so for that reason, I’m going to break it down for you now…

Purring Lovingly

Purring is a sound that you are probably familiar with. It is very unique to cats, in my opinion, it almost sounds like a little motor is murmuring in the background. When you hear this, it’s a classic sign that your cat is showing you affection and wants to be petted.

Rolling on his back

You may have seen images of a cat doing this, or maybe even witnessed your own cat rolling around playfully exposing their belly. In particular, when they are exposing their belly.

This is an indication that they feel comfortable and happy around you. It is an indication that he wants you to stroke and play with him.

Bunting (What now?)

Bunting is a term that you may not have heard of before. However, I’m sure once I start to explain what it is the chances are you have seen this before.

To cut a long story short, bunting is when your cat rubs its head lovingly against your legs Arms or body. Sometimes it will give you a gentle but of the head and rub its body against you, are you with me?

This is a way of showing affection that she loves you. As well as rubbing her scent on you, which is an indication that she sees you as her territory.

A subtle little reminder

Another technique that some cats use is to pounce on you while you’re sleeping. But, in this context, it’s not necessarily to do with showing affection, or protection for that matter.

It may be to simply remind you of something that you have forgotten to do for them. Let me give you some examples:

• Have you potentially forgot to fill their water bowl?
• Does she want to go outside but you haven’t left the door open?
• Is she hungry, and you forgot to feed her?
• The list goes on… (But I think you get the point).

Ultimately, it’s their cute way of informing you that they need your attention. And, they need to give you something.

Why do some cats lick you in the face when you are sleeping?

If you have ever caught your cat licking your face in the night, you have either been freaked out or feel flattered. Basically, this is a cats way of showing affection. Its one of their behaviors learned from birth. They will groom and lick you because it is what they learned as a kitten, are you with me?

To explain this, I need to go back to their roots. Cats, in a weird way, see you as a big mother cat (bare with me).  Therefore, their behaviors are similar to when they were kittens. As kittens grooming and licking was a natural part of family life. Therefore, these are the reasons why they will lick you in this way.

Other reasons a cat may jump on you when you are sleeping.

This is because the chances are your cat is trying to get your attention. This is mainly seen when cats, especially if they are indoor cats, get a little bit bored and need some attention.

The easy way around this is to give them a lot of attention just before you go to bed so that it doesn’t happen at an inconvenient time for you.

Therefore you could engage them in some games with some toys for example. Or, offer them some treats. After you’ve played some games with them so that they feel fulfilled at the end of the day. This will reduce the chances of her disturbing you while you’re trying to get your beauty sleep.

Related Questions:

In this section, I am going to share some answers to questions related to cats getting in your face. However, if you have some additional questions in your head that you feel need to be answered, please drop me a comment below.

Why do cats sniff your face? This is because they want to check you are still there and who you are. Cats have a very powerful sense of smell. Therefore they can use this skill to smell things we couldn’t dream of.

While it may annoy you by sniffing your face. For them, it is an essential part of their reassurance about you.

Why do cats follow you to the toilet? This is a combination of curiosity and wanting to spend quality time with you. They also love routines like us. If you get up and go to the toilet each day at the same time, there is a good chance your cat will follow you.

Cats are curious by nature and they are interested in any activity you do. Especially as their beloved cat owner. The things you do in the bathroom, such as using an electric toothbrush, brushing your hair, etc will keep them interested. Believe it or not, this is enough for them to follow you in there the same time each day.

Also, sometimes cats just get this wrong and anticipate you getting up for something else. Like, a move to get up and feed them. So, they may follow you expecting something to happen that may benefit them.

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Why Do Cats Fear Cucumber? (Plus viral video)

If you are thinking of food to feed your cat (Click here to see the price of one of my best cat foods, on Amazon), you may be cautious to offer him a cucumber, because of all the talk about cats being scared of them. But, why are cats so scared of them?

Why Do Cats Fear Cucumber? Cats fear cucumbers because, at a glance, they look like a snake (in their mind). The reality is, anything that is vaguely resembling a snake will strike immense fear into cats. Especially, when they are surprised by this object. For example, if a cucumber is placed behind a cat.

Now you understand why cats are so scared of cucumbers, let me explain why so many people are fascinated with this, why videos of this are going viral, why it’s not a good idea to scare them with cucumbers and more.

The Cats & Cucumber Viral Phenomenon

There is a weird phenomenon with cats and cucumbers that has some people in hysterics, and others watching in disgust. It revolves around cats getting totally freaked out by cucumbers. But why is this?

In reality, it’s not the cucumber per se. It could be any unknown object that invokes a defensive mechanism in a cat. It is believed that it could be because the cat instantly assumes its a snake and runs for its life, wouldn’t you?

So, what actually happens to the cat when you do this?

You may be curious, thinking, “What actually happens, when you do it doh?”

Let me put you out of your curiosity:

As you can see, this video does a lot more justice than my words can do.  Their reaction is quite drastic and it gets the attention of its viewers. Maybe you can see why many people are talking about it.

But, what is the fascination with cats & cucumbers?

Le’ts be honest, we live in a world of virality, fake news, and sensationalized headlines. People have short attention spans and want fast media to kill time. But, what has this got to do with cats & cucumbers?

Well, these videos win people attention, these videos of cats getting freaked out get viral views (take the video above for example.

So, people find these videos and the reaction from these cats funny. For the video creators, it’s quick to create these videos and get views, are you with me?

Why you should NOT scare cats with Cucumbers

You may find these antics with cats and cucumbers interesting, or even funny. However, in this section, I am going to explain why it is not a good idea to scare these cats.

Would you like it?

Unfortunately, it is not that great for the cats. And, what happens, as you have seen, is a drastic reaction. Think about if you were woken up at 3:25 AM with a cold bucket of water in the face, would you like it?

What might happen?

The dangers of this is the follow on effects of the cat getting scared (click here to see why cats get scared easily). Firstly the cat may break something in your house. Could it be your precious ornament in your dining room? or knock down your Xbox gaming system and cost you hundreds in replacement costs? You with me?

Aside from the damage to objects in your home. There is potential damage to other people in your home. The cat could scare or injure a child.

Effects on the cat

And finally, the effects on the cat itself. firstly it could injure itself trying to getaway. And it can also lead to long term stress or anxiety issues (click here to see my best 3 Pheromone Collars for Aggressive or anxious cats).

Is Cucumber Bad for cats?

You may be wondering, with all these freaky reactions to cucumbers, would it be right to assume that cucumbers are bad for cats? No, they are not. But, let me explain.

Cats can actually eat cucumbers. But, the reality is not many will actually want to eat it. Even if you cut it up into bite-size cubes and totally disassociate it from a snake-looing figure, the chances are, they still won’t eat it.

The interesting thing is, even more cats will refuse to eat fruits as well. Even though they are a nutritious source of body water and vitamins.

You can try your cat with a few vegetables to see how they react. You could try some broccoli or even some asparagus, for example.

Related Questions:

In this section, I will answer some related question to cats and cucumbers. If you feel there are some related questions, in your mind, that you feel that I have missed, please drop me a comment below.

Q: Why do cats hate closed doors?

Its a combination of curiosity, territorial issues and unconditional love for their owners. But, let me break this down…

Curiosity

Ever heard the term, “Curiosity kill the cat?”. Well, this is similar. Cats hate being left out, and not knowing what’s going on the other side. Hence the hate for doors.

The sheer curiosity will drive them mad and will mean they will keep harassing you for entry.

Territorial Issues

Cats are a bit like dogs, in some ways. What? Wait, let me explain. They love to claim and mark areas as their territory, right?

Therefore, when there is a closed-door, your cat will be upset and offended. In fact, she will demand entry. Why? Because, in her head, this is her territory. Regardless if you are paying the rent (a bit like kids, right?).

Unconditional love

If you are on the other side of a closed door. The reality is you cat will be beating down the door. Why? Because she loves you, in fact, this love is unconditional (next level).

The closed-door, in this context, is a barrier between you and them, again, a bit like a child, right?

Q: What smells do cats hate?

If you have seen a weird reaction from your cat, after they smelled or came into contact with an item or food, you may be wondering why is that. For that reason, I will explain a couple of known items that cats dislike.

Citrus Smells

Cats do not like citrus smells (Why Do Cats Hate Oranges? Click here to see why). So, if your objective is to keep them happy, keep this away from them. But, what do I mean when I say citrus?

• Lemon
• Lime
• Grapefruit

These are a few examples of citrus that you need to steer clear of.

Human hair

This may be hard for you to accept this if you have not witnessed it, but according to cuteness, they do not like the smell of human hair. I would expect that you will need a big clump of human hair to trigger this reaction, e.g. a collection of hair on a hairbrush, maybe?

Q: Is it ok to leave a cat alone for a week?

The short answer to this is No! But if you interested to understand why I say this, let me explain now.

I understand you have a holiday booked, and you are keen on leaving but have responsibilities, basically your cat.

To be honest, if you have an adult cat, you should never leave them for more than 48-hours on their own. And even that is pushing it.

If they are younger, the period of time acceptable gradually reduces. For example, if they are less than 6 months you shouldn’t leave them for more than 8 hours. And, if they are even longer, say less than 4 months the maximum is really 4 hours.

Obviously, these are rough guidelines. Everyone has different cats, with different requirements. And, this assumes they are in perfect health conditions. If they are sick or have disabilities, forget these timelines. They will need a lot more attention from you. So, it is not feasible to use these as a reliable guideline.

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Why are Cats Afraid of Water?

If you have ever seen a scared cat being touched with water, you may be curious to understand why they hate water so much. Especially when they love drinking water from water fountains (click here for my best water fountain & see the price on Amazon), let me explain where this fear comes from…

Why are cats afraid of water? If they are long-haired cats, they won’t want to be weighed down by their wet fur. And, if they are short-haired they will not like the water penetrating their fur and touching their skin. Also, some cats get anxious about bad experiences with water.

Now that you know some reasons why they fear water, let me give you some more reasons why, some cats that actually enjoy the water, how you can keep them safe around water and much more…

What other reasons make cats afraid of water?

In this section, I will explain why cats are typically afraid of water. However, you may be surprised to find out that this is not the case for every single cat (more on this later).

Heavy coats

The first issue that some cats have is getting weighed down with a wet heavy coat. Especially if they have long fur. There is a good chance any long-haired cat won’t like the water for this reason.

If they’re immersed in water, e.g. if they fell into a river or lake, they could really get dragged down and make them feel that they are going to go under the water.

Making them feel cold

Another issue with water that really antagonizes cats is the risk of a dramatic drop in body temperature.  Especially if they have short hair. Why? because short hair cats mean the water can penetrate their skin easily making. Consequently, their body gets cold.

Don’t like the smell

As you may or may not know. Cats have a very sensitive sense of smell. Therefore, they can smell things which we usually overlook.

But, what has this got to do with the water you ask? Simple, the chlorine in the average swimming pool is so intense to a cat’s nose that it finds it quite vulgar and repulsive, are you with me?

When we humans swim in a swimming pool we overlook the chlorine. Yes, you can detect it, but, it’s not a big issue for us. Cats, on the other hand, are very different.

This could also be one of the reasons why cats are not always willing to drink tap water.

Bad history with water

If your cat has had a bad experience with water in the past. For example, they fell into a swimming pool, lake or someone sprayed water at them to punish them. Or, maybe they’ve been forced to take an extra-long bath. All of these experiences can turn them off for good.

Interesting story…

I remember being handed the nutty chocolate bar, let’s call it “dream bar” for now to save the negativity on a specific brand (however, it’s not sold anymore, to be honest) but I remember it well, and for the first time in my life, I didn’t want it.

It’s not because I disliked the sweet nutty texture of these bars, it’s because of the bad experience I had with this sweet thing…

I was traveling back home on a long car journey, my mum handed me the bar. And, at that point in time, it made me feel sick.

Fact is, it wasn’t the “dream bar”, it was the experience at that point in time. A bit like some cats. They may just hate water from a bad experience.

Causes them issues with their ears

A cat is his very different to us, they have very deep ear canals. And, very little space in the shallow part of their ear. What this means is, if water gets into their ear. It’s not very easy to evaporate and disappear.

This can lead to discomfort and in some cases ear infection. So, you can understand why they would have reservations going into the water.

What cats are ok with swimming?

Even though I have stated many reasons why cats do not like water there are actually some breeds of cat that actually enjoy going in the water. I know! This totally contradicts this rule, right?

For that reason, I’m going to list some of these breeds and explain why they love water.

Turkish vans

The Turkish Van cat which is also known as the swimming cat is one of the few cat species that enjoy swimming. This may be due to their long-bodies with rounded paws, who knows. Either way, this makes them the ideal candidate for swimming.

Maine Coon

Believe it or not, even though the Maine Coon (click here to see why Maine Coon cats are so big) is a really large cat he actually loves the water.

If you are a Maine Coon cat owner you may have seen your cat swimming around in your swimming pool or local lake.

Bengals

These cats are descendants of Asian Leopards. They are known to love playing in the water. Maybe this love of water is because of their link to the Asian Leopards? Who knows…

Whatever reason, they are big water lovers.

Wildcats

Wild cats are known for their enjoyment of water. What kind of cats am I talking about?

e.g.

• Lions
• Tigers
• Leopards

One of the reasons for this is because they use it as a means to cool their body temperature down in the hot direct sun.

Wildcats from colder climates

Unlike the wildcats, I mentioned above. These wild cats are an exception to the rule, they don’t like water. This is because they live in cold climates. An example of this is Snow Leopards.

The reason why they hate the water is that it reduces their chances of keeping warm. And they typically live in extremely cold climates.

What precautions can you take for cat safety in the water?

If you have a pool in your back garden or access to water, such as a nearby lake. And, your cat is willing to take the plunge into the water. I’m going to share with you some safety measures that you can take to help to keep them safe.

Keep an eye on them

Firstly, always make sure that you keep an eye on your cat. Make sure that they are not struggling to keep above water or they are in any form of distress, are you with me?

Clean out their ears

Immediately after they exit the water it is a good idea to clean out their ears (click here to see how to clean cat fur without water) . This is to avoid any chance of infection.

Never force them

If a cat feels forced they will not be happy. Therefore, never attempt to force your cat into the water. Even if you feel that you’re trying to help it to learn to swim.

Related questions:

In this section, I’m going to reveal some answers to some related questions to cats and water. If you feel that there are some questions in your mind that haven’t been answered feel free to drop a comment below.

Do cats get scared of being alone? Yes, cats do get scared of being alone (Click here to see why cats are scared of cucumbers). Believe it or not, they are actually attached to their owners even though they don’t always appear to be.

There is a perception that cats do not care so much for their owners. This may be because they are not visually as connected. Especially when compared to a pet dog.

However, this is not the case. Cats need as much care and attention as a dog. But, they just show their love in different ways.

Can cats smell Fear? Yes, cats can smell fear. A pheromone (click here for my best 3 Pheromone Collars for Aggressive Cats) is a chemical released by cats which is used in many different ways. Can be used to mark their territory and for a number of other reasons.

However, there can also be scent released in the same way which indicates fear. This can be used to alarm a cat to run away from a potentially dangerous situation.