Cats are sensitive creatures that are affected by the factors around them. You may notice them being angry or in a bad mood,
which can be confusing for you as a cat owner, as there are many actions that may harm or upset cats.
Therefore, as a cat owner, it is important to understand what bothers or harms cats. In this article,
we will highlight several behaviors that hurt cats or actions that cats do not like from their owners.
What are the behaviors that hurt cats?
Cats are very clean creatures. Neglecting to clean their litter box puts both their health and your health at risk and negatively impacts their mental well-being. In some cases, your cat may even refuse to use the box altogether if it is too dirty.
The litter box should be cleaned at least once a day if you have one cat, and more frequently if you have multiple cats.
You should clean and wash your cat’s food and water bowls daily. Leaving food or water unchanged for more than a day creates an opportunity for bacteria to grow,
especially if the food is wet, which directly harms your cat's health. You should pay attention to the cleanliness of your cat's bowls just as you do with your own food dishes.
It is better to choose bowls made of stainless steel and avoid other materials like plastic and ceramic.
This is because these materials can develop small cracks over time, where bacteria can grow, making them difficult to clean.
Stainless steel, however, does not develop these cracks and is easy to clean. Avoid choosing deep bowls, as when the bowl is too deep, your cat's whiskers may brush against the edges of the bowl.
Since cat whiskers are highly sensitive, this can cause sensory overload, leading to increased stress for the cat.
Some cats may even push food out of the bowl to avoid their whiskers touching the edges. Therefore, it's best to choose wide, shallow bowls, avoiding excessive depth.
If your cat does something that bothers you, never think of punishing or shouting at her. Simply put,
she will perceive it as an attempt to harm her, which will break the trust and bond between you both.
Instead, try searching online for the reasons why your cat is engaging in this specific behavior and how to address it correctly.
You’ll find plenty of advice that will help you change the undesirable behavior.
You may have seen videos of people placing a cucumber next to their cat. This action causes cats to experience extreme fear.
In reality, cats are not afraid of the cucumber itself, but rather of the sudden appearance of something next to them out of nowhere.
As an instinctive reaction, cats may think it could be a snake or some other animal trying to harm them.
If you want to play with your cat, look for the correct ways to do so, and never engage in such actions with these gentle creatures.
Cats sleep between 12 to 18 hours a day, in intervals. They love to sleep, and they will never be happy if you disturb them while they're resting in any way.
Do not make any loud noises while your cat is sleeping, and certainly, never wake them up intentionally.
Although cats spend a lot of time alone, they sometimes need to spend time with you for the affection and sense of security you provide.
You may find that your cat occasionally tries hard to get your attention, either by touching you, sitting next to you, or rubbing her head against your hands.
When your cat seeks your attention, never ignore her. Doing so will make her feel sad and lonely, and if you continue to ignore her, she may even become depressed.
Cats are afraid of loud and sudden noises, such as the sound of a vacuum cleaner, hairdryer, loud TV, loud music, loud human voices, thunder during rain, slamming doors, and many others.
Therefore, try to minimize your cat's exposure to these sounds as much as possible, and never yell at them.
A cat's sense of smell is 14 times stronger than that of humans, which is why cats are bothered by scents we use around the house,
such as cleaners, air fresheners, and personal scents like perfumes, creams, or shampoos.
Avoid hugging your cat immediately after using these products, as it may cause her to become uncomfortable and associate your presence with the unpleasant scents.
Most cats do not like having their belly touched because the belly area is one of the most vulnerable parts of their body.
In rare cases, if you’ve had your cat since she was a kitten, or if you treat her with great kindness and make her feel very secure with you, she might allow you to touch her belly.
However, in general, it's best to avoid this if your cat shows signs of discomfort.
Grabbing a cat’s tail is also unwelcome. The cat may react unpredictably if you try to grab her tail, especially if you pull or tug on it.
Avoid actions that annoy your cat, so she feels that you are a source of safety and comfort, not fear or distress.
When playing with your cat, avoid massaging her in a rough, exaggerated, or fast manner.
This can scare her and make her try to escape. Also, never hug your cat tightly, as it can make her feel trapped and unable to escape.
You should be calm and gentle when petting and playing with your cat, ensuring she feels relaxed and comfortable.
Cats are independent creatures and prefer to spend quiet time away from everyone. First, you should make sure your cat has a quiet place to go.
For example, a room or a corner in your home where you place a small bed for your cat and some toys specifically for her.
This space should be away from noise sources, such as the TV or living room, and should be warm.
This will give your cat the freedom to have some private time when she wants it.
The most important thing is to respect the times when your cat wants to be alone and not disturb her in her little space.
Contrary to what cartoons often show, milk is not good for cats. Adult cats have a hard time digesting the lactose found in milk.
Milk can cause digestive issues and discomfort in a cat's stomach. Although cats may drink milk without hesitation, it ultimately harms them more than it benefits them.
Cats get frustrated with anything on their bodies that they can't remove. Clothing restricts their freedom of movement and causes discomfort.
Therefore, avoid putting clothes on your cat to prevent making her uncomfortable or stressed.