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Another way to show your kitty love: reduce whisker stress by putting their food in low bowls or plates. If you see your cat spitting out food all over the floor, it can be due to whisker contact. Doing what I suggested should help and will show your cat you care.
Sometimes my cat is purring, relaxed & accepting affection. Then suddenly his tail begins to pound. It was years before I realized he was becoming overstimulated & his thumping tail was his way of letting me know that! I didn't see that info in your video, but I found it very informative. Thank you for helping me be a better guardian!
am extremely allergic to cats (95%), so I can hardly play with her, if at all. But I love her very much. I couldn't even sleep with the cat if I wanted to, I would suffocate. Nice tips, but most of them are out of the question for me.
The last comment struck me. We were out for a walk and a friendly Labrador barked at me. My furry friend jumped between to say you will not bark at my human. Very cool from a cat
My cat loves to be held. I put him over my shoulder like a baby and he lays his head on my shoulder and wraps his paws around my arm. This was the first thing he did when I first saw him and the reason I brought him home❤
Me too. He’s never lied, cheated, stolen, or been violent or unkind. He also goes out of his way to keep me safe from bugs, etc. and growls if a stranger comes to the door (he learned that from my dog who helped me raise him).
@@cherylmcnutt9905 Mine has. Killed a little kitten I brought home, barged under my feet for about 100th time causing me to trip severing 2 tendons in my left hand, eaten food off the table, pissed on my head while I was sleeping, crap everywhere, and completely isolated my good cat from the family. They're not all luvy-duvy. Like people some are just horrible and can never be properly integrated, cats are the same.
I remember Cleopatra and Nala use to sleep with me all the time, and they had to have at least one paw touching my skin. I also remember when I got sick I was too weak to even get out of bed, they went to the kitchen and went searching for something they could carry up to bed. the found a bag of cheerio's and brought it back and took turns feeding me, Nala would paw my mouth open to make sure I actually ate it. Cats are wonderful creatures. when Cleo was younger she got her self stuck on top of a door, she called for me and I found her, when I went to reach for her she just rolled and fell into my arms, she didn't even try to land on her feet, she just trusted that I would catch her. I miss them every day. sadly I lost them 23 months ago due to an arsonist while I was at work...it was devastating on a level I can not convey. I miss their hugs and I miss hugging them and holding them.
Oh that’s TERRIBLE! No other cat will replace your beloved Cleopatra and Nala. BUT trust me when I say another cat’s antics will fill your heart with enjoyment. I’m down to 2 females. They found me…Males get along better than males…by far! Neutering is cheaper, unless you get them from a shelter. There are so many cats, senior cats, and kittens in these places, that need your furever home! You won’t be sorry
My kitty as well. She imprinted on me as I selected her at the animal shelter. She had been there for 6 months all alone in a fairly large enclosure as she didn’t get along with other cats. She had been found wandering around at Leisure World & a kind woman took her to the shelter. That was ok with us as we only wanted 1 kitty. We had to sign a statement that she would be an indoor cat only. That ok with us. She follows me around the house & sleeps next to me at night. She doesn’t want fish. I’ve offered salmon to her and she turns up her nose at it. She loves her Friskies wet food. We feed her twice a day, 1/2 in the morning and half around 1 pm.That’s enough for her. She’s a gray tabby with green eyes and weighs 14lbs. We have carpet samples at the base of our 2 sliders in our condo & she uses those for her clawing. I find her claws in them every once in a when she sheds them. I’d much rather have a cat than a dog. I was raised with dogs and they’re fine if you live where they can play outside without fear of coyotes but we have coyotes all over in Huntington Beach, CA. We have a wetlands nearby and they breed there.They can jump fences.I see images of them on the Next Door app all the time.
My cat loves us both, but in different unique ways. She always loves laying on hubby's knees in the evening; he doesn't pet her the whole time, just lets her be there, but she clearly looks forward to these moments with him; when the time comes, after dinner, to sit in front of the telly, she gets really excited, running into the lounge in readiness for what is to come, so cute. We took her to the vet for a small operation; I went to collect her after her operation, and her behaviour has now changed towards me, the bond between us has strengthened. She now sits on my lap as well. I now feel part of the family proper 😊
Yes, cats do seem to love routine, mine looks for the treat after our dinner, then settles down on my lap for the evening. If I get up to go to the bathroom, she goes over to my husband, but always comes back to me as soon as I settle down again.
My cats know when I’m gonna have a panic attack out of the blue, up to 25 minutes before it happens. If I’m in the shower, they meow and scratch at the curtain till I get out and dry off then go sit on the bed. Then I don’t pass out or collapse from weakness. They do the same thing for my seizures and diabetic attacks.
I have two cats, and they are completely different personalities! both lovely, and unique. My strongest bond is with the orange cat, he is a boy and I rescued him from the streets when he was a very little baby. He is now almost 9 years old, and every afternoon when I come back from work, he comes to the door with his tail high and .... trembling! like a dog! that is amazing to me! I feel honored to receive that much love from him. I leave everything I may have in my hands to stop and pet him.... That cat is more than a pet, he has a big part of my heart!
I pray to God to give you a lot of beautiful days and you know God loves us so much,So where are you originally from? I am David originally from Spain but currently living in Texas now.
My cat will sit on the floor near my bed while I brush my teeth and do all getting ready for bed things. Once I'm in bed, then she'll leave like, OK she's tucked in bed and safe, so I can leave. She also sits by the bathroom when I shower. I guess to make sure I don't drown. Lol. She'll be 14 in 9 days. Love her to pieces.
This is great! I have interacted with cats most of my life, and each cat has taught me how they like to communicate. These videos help me confirm that I understood correctly, or that there is more nuance in their behavior than I recognized.
My father had a little black and tan tabby female. She loved him the most but loved all the humans in her life. When I had my monthly, Tiny would gently hop on my belly and knead in time with my cramps.Such a sweet girl.
The frequency of cat purring has been shown to fall between 25 and 140 Hz. The same frequency has been shown to aid in the healing of broken bones, joint and tendon repair, and wound healing (not just in their own bodies, but ours too) 🥰
My daughter's cat is a weirdo. She loves "aggressive" petting and will head butt you and meow loudly until you do it. If I ever tried to pet any other cat in this way, I would get shredded. She will also only take treats if I put them in the exact same place every time. You really do have to learn your cat.
I am 74 years old, never forced myself on a cat. They, all of them, I have shared my space with, would come to me and most would touch their nose to mine. My Maine Coon, Alice, had an extremely long fluffy tail. If she loved a person, especially me, Alice would sit next to me and Plume me with her tail. She even relaxed in her cat bed next to my elderly Python, Geraldine, next to me while I worked on my computer. The lived into their twenties, and passed within 2 weeks of one another. My 17 year old male gets groomed everyday, and then fed his soft food. Yes, routine is very important as well as good food, proper health care, grooming and kindness. Cats are empathetic as well. They know if you do not feel well and lie beside you and purr which, I found, a comfort. I slow blink it I am tired, my cats respond and do it as well.
One thing i have noticed is that cats often like to have their feet grounded… it gives them a sense of security to know they can execute a fast take off if required
A grest way to build trust--never, ever hit a pet. No animal truly understands or learns that way, and they will always wonder if they're really safe around you.
Just want to point out, I saw a Cat slow blink at another Cat. To reassure it meant no harm, only to assault the unsuspecting kitty that it had just blinked too. They are quite crafty. and can be deceptive.
It's fascinating how cats communicate through body language, including the slow blink, which is often a sign of trust and affection. However, cats can also use subtle gestures to mask their intentions, showcasing their complex social behaviors.
My stray cats are afraid of being captured ony two will let me pet them . They seem to be very hard did me to communicate with,I try to play with them , but, They don't trust new me.
Have you spent time around people lately? I'll take a cat's craftiness & deception (usually meant "in play" if they know each.other) over Human Beings anyday!!!
I adore cats. All my life it seemed like me and cats have a connection. My last kitty posted away in 2008 and I was so heart broken I couldn't think of getting another. I had him in my life for 14 wonderful years. Every cat that I've ever had has come to me for various reasons, but the constant similarities is that they needed me. I just had to have my sweet dog put down after she became suddenly and irreversibly ill. I've been grieving for two weeks and have been thinking I need to go to the shelter. A precious cat may need me?
People have to give up their animals for all sorts of reasons which they never imagined happening when they first got them. It can be heartbreaking to hear about it. If the animals are surrendered through a shelter then at least they get a second chance at an amazing life…..it sounds like you are about to become that life line to some of those with that need. Good luck building your new fur family, hopefully grieving together can help all of you. And if it’s too much immediately, perhaps volunteering at a shelter for a while or even helping with dog walking for someone in your neighbourhood that’s become unable to cope might be a way to ease back in.
@@dees3179 Your suggestions are both comforting & encouraging. I have the same personality/approach when someone else is in distress or needs help. Too bad there isn't more people with this type of mindset. Wouldn't the world be a much nicer place...❤
Getting a cat will definitely help you through your grief. A year ago I had a rescue dog who got very sick and he had to be euthanised 😢 my cat , also a rescue became extra loving and from that day on we have a bond I thought I wouldn't have with her, and she has made a big difference with the grieving process 💜
I pray to God to give you a lot of beautiful days and you know God loves us so much,So where are you originally from? I am David originally from Spain but currently living in Texas now.
I had a cat who I swear had a specific “call,” or name, for me. It was a particular series of vocalizations, one of which sounded like the cat vocalization for food. I think her name for me was, “Human who feeds me.” She was the bestest kitty! 😍😻
I can't help myself when it comes to a sleeping cat. There's something so damn adorable about them when they're sleeping that compels me to lay down next to them and pet them. I will do it very gently so it's easy for them to just go right back to sleep while I'm petting them though.
A stray turned up on my verandah a little over 2 years ago. She was hiding from a thunderstorm and the rain. I fed her, dried her off, put a wooden box on the verandah with a blanket lining the box and she has never left. My huskie accepted her presence almost immediately and plays chase with her often. Its funny to see the two resting together. She gets fed 3 times a day. Is allowed to come and go as she likes, wormed and flea treated often. She is now a part of the family. She enjoys rubbing her head upon my bearded chin. She will jump up on me for a cuddle and keeps rubbing her head on each side of my chin and will play bite my chin when she gets over excited. I trust animals over a human anyday. They are amazing creatures.
I recently adopted a 3 year old cat. I have had 3 other cats in the past but I raised them all from kittens. I am having a hard time learning how to understand this cat's personality. Your videos have helped.
You know the cats had enough when you come out looking like you've had a run in with Freddy Krueger. I love all animals but cats are my favourite, warm friendly beautiful and psychotic :D My world would be dull without one, his name is Tigs.
My kitty Silky, gives head butts, big hellos when I come home. She's very corious watches everything I do & wants to help when I'm cooking or baking. Pats my eyelids to wake me up with a purr & lots of kitty kisses. , Love her to the Moon & back. 😽😻😺
I do every single one of them. She always wants to be close, sleeping on our bodys, kissing us/love bites,eye kissies, purring and so on. Love my cat so much.
I enjoyed your RU-vid. My cat came into the room while I was watching and meowed. We receive a lot of verbal communication from her. As I observed her body language, her tail was up in the air. We have a feral cat that I am capable of picking up and petting, and we love him too. His name is Marble and he is so cute when I call him. He comes running to me like a little puppy, and he loves when I scratch his tummy. Thank you so much for your video.
I pray to God to give you a lot of beautiful days and you know God loves us so much,So where are you originally from? I am David originally from Spain but currently living in Texas now.
I miss Cats! Ever since my earliest memories our family didn’t just have cats. We had many cats, at the same time. No less than four, but at times many more! Growing up through the late 60s to the late 80s (before the understanding of the possible consequences, but every single one did find a vetted and loving home) I had the unmerited privilege and pleasure of countless litters of kittens within our home. As well as puppies too! My heart breaks for anyone who hasn’t experienced the overwhelming joy of basking and being mobbed by a litter of Kittens or puppies! But Kittens in particular. My mom had an uncanny way of adopting the most loyal, gentle, affectionate, patient and trusting cats. The mommy cats were the best. They would purr proudly as my siblings and I would gently cradle and cuddle her babies, as we would allow them to climb all over us and scoop them up and put them inside our t-shirts where they would burrow and happily mew while climbing out of our shirt sleeves and collars, only to (on their own) wiggle and squish back under and do it again and again. Life without at least once encountering a litter of kittens (or puppies for that matter) is a life cheated of a wonderful thing! Do so! When you get the chance, you’ll never regret it!
Also! Back in 1972, We rescued a kitten named Clorica. She was a tiny baby orphan, who lost her mother because of an untimely death. Clorica, was bottle-fed by my mother until adulthood and really never got past the weening stage. Besides my mom, she imprinted herself on me, and when I was home, we were inseparable. Back then I was a virtual 'Linus' blanket and all. Of course, being in the 2nd grade at the time, I wasn't allowed to take my blanket with me to school. But while I was gone, when she was not eating or taking care of personal activities, she would curl up, suckle, purr, make bread, and snooze on my blanket until I returned from school. When I returned home, she would spring up to come to me, prancing and happily meowing, and then she would hop on my shoulder and endlessly 'bunt' (I called it 'Kigging' Cat Kisses) my face and head with hers. I still have that blanket. I wish, I still had her. Please don't tell me that in Heaven, there are no pets that you've known and loved. Because that wouldn't really be Heaven. Kiggs to you!
I pray to God to give you a lot of beautiful days and you know God loves us so much,So where are you originally from? I am David originally from Spain but currently living in Texas now.
I have 4 kitten siblings. My legs look like I have been self harming but I assure you I have not.love Morris Millie Willie and Mia so very much. They will be 4 months as of march 12th..
My cat has to pay for treats. Sometimes he forgets to pay so I'll say "hey!" and he will give me a head bump. There is no free lunch, not even for a cat.
Thank you! My gray tabby cat is a real character! She passionately loves boxes, suitcases and beds for naps and has strong preferences when it comes to people and food. It is always great to learn ways to get through to and closer to her feline royal highness!
I blink back to them slowly too; I always respect their personal space; as they do mines; I play w them; love watching & admire their tails; pet them as per preference; treat them as my child 👦 🧒 👧 fur child; special treats always; I speak 🗣️ cat 🐈⬛ fluently honestly; always listen to their purrs; they always come to me for sleeping; my teddy bears….protecting me too (no mice; no evil energies; no spirits…come to my temple/my vessel…my almighty angels 👼 God blessed me with)
I was visiting another country. I went to an out door museum. I saw a kitty happily eating her dish. How wonderful! I went to say “Hi 👋 “ and as soon as I did; the young adult cat took a break from eating to rub against me and for quick pet; then went back to eat happily. I walked away happily too because she/he only went to me…no one else as I watched…even my companion was of no interest. Highest honor from a kept stray in Mexico. I’m Cat 🐈⬛ people
Hubby & I adopted our first cat in about 2 decades. We went to the local animal control shelter. We walked in and there in a large pen by herself was our Shadow. I told my husband, I want this kitty. We adopted her and she fit right in. Now she runs the house. She sleeps with us and follows me around the house when she’s not sleeping. And of course, like other cats, she sleeps a lot. She loves to chase after her cat dancer toy. It’s the only toy she likes other than a feather at the end of a stick. Our life is so much better with her in it.
Encourage sleeping with you? Hm... that's a new one 🤣 In my 44 years with a couple dozen cats I have never actually thought about that. They just hog your lap and go PRRRR! Snore. Twitch. And all that jazz. But now that you mention it. I _have_ found something that encourages my cat to snuggle up on the couch with me, even though it already was one of his favourite spots in the house to chillax. I bought my 15 yo heat seeker his own warm water bottle and I fill it with warm water twice a day. He gets really excited when I do that. It's so cute! 🤣 I was a bit worried that eh would kneed his new best friend and put holes in it but he doesn't. He does occasionally try to stand on it and find a comfy way to lay down on his newfangled waterbed that's about half his size 🤣He has not found a way yet, but his approaches from the side are really creative as well 🤣
"Your cat will let you know when he's had enough petting." I was petting my cat. When he ripped my arm out of its socket, that was my first clue that he'd had enough petting.
That’s how it initially felt with my cat. No signs, no tail wagging or airplane ears or anything. It’s entirely possible that she isn’t filled with hate, but simply overwhelmed. When you first start petting them, it feels good; but there’s a threshold where it becomes overstimulating and painful. They don’t bite with evil intent, rather they just need to make it stop as fast as possible. Also, if your cat doesn’t show typical signs of annoyance, they probably have their own that you need to look for. Mine won’t sniff my hand when she’s not interested, and if I try to go over her head she won’t let it out of sight. Her head also makes more jerky movements. Personally, I’ve found the typical warning signs to not always indicate anything with my cat. She’ll give me airplane ears as she’s sniffing my hand, when she was the one to come up to me - I think she’s anticipating pets rather than not wanting them. Her tail will also wag but she’ll let me go on for a good while, and the rest of her language is calm and content. It’s nuanced for sure, don’t be discouraged.
I just want me beloved Neo to have the happiest life. I know when he wants to be touched, left alone, when he wants to cuddle. He’s such a loving creature and I respect him and make him happy ❤
I remember when I once read an interesting cat manual and even a book called “Why Do Cats Do That?” with far too many tips and even suggestions from the time and place I came from to list who my cat was. But when it comes to petting my cat as often as I did, I will say I kinda agree with cats loving a good stroke starting on the back and going down to just before their tail. Even though my cat never really enjoyed tummy rubs because it must depend on the cat overall, my grandma thought I shouldn’t try to rub her cheeks, even though I was trying to be as gentle as I could when also even scratching her chin. By the way, I feel like relaxed cats also appreciate a good stroke in two other places on their body. One being around the neck and back; while the other is on their head, whether you’re just stroking their head with your hand or even rubbing their ears.
Thank you for sharing your experiences and insights! Cats indeed have their unique preferences when it comes to petting and affection. It's fascinating how each cat has its own personality and reacts differently to various types of touch. Your observations about where cats enjoy being petted are quite interesting and may help other cat owners understand their furry companions better!
I have taken in two of THE most timid, terrified cats I have ever seen, and I've had numerous cats over the decades. If I try to hug either one, or even pet them, I will certainly lose some skin at the very least. I do the slow blink at the one (the other one runs as soon as I look at her!) and usually the look I get in response seems to say "WHAT are you doing??"
This is kind of relatable, I've been getting visited by and feeding a beautiful stray tortie the last couple of months, she is getting used to being indoor and seems to love affection. But she won't lay on my lap and she was at first scared of a toy I made her, a 3D printed ball I threaded some string through, now she just ignores it!
My cat likes to bathe while sitting on me. He initiates it so I know he doesn’t care if I’m there. Also, he loves to be touching me. He’ll lay his head on me and he’ll stretch his arms out and cross them across me. I can feel he loves me too.
I pray to God to give you a lot of beautiful days and you know God loves us so much,So where are you originally from? I am David originally from Spain but currently living in Texas now.
Thank you, I enjoyed this podcast. Catties are just wonderful! It is true what they say.... If you think they have no souls, you haven't looked long enough into their eys. Blessings andlove🦊🐱🐈
Our tuxedo cat, Swayze, is sensitive to my physical functioning via my acupressure meridians. He even watched part of an acupressure instruction video and then turned to me and deliberately placed his paw on first one, then a second, meridian point that had been the topics in the video. This blew my mind. Previous to this I had just assumed that his placements of his paws on me was merely at random. I learned through experience with him that he knows where I need physical attention!; for instance in my knee rather than in my torso or neck or face. As in actual acupressure sessions with (human) practitioners, the end of the session is always focused on my feet. In general, if there's no particular part of me needing attention, he lies on my chest and stomach until he's "done" and steps off me to go lie at the foot of the bed. When he does this he is so gentle & careful I often don't even feel him moving. ❤😊
Cats respect and learn heirarchy in their family unit. Whether human, cat, or other. I am the parent. My kitties learn by my actions, not the other way around.
Cats also purr to self-soothe. Sick or injured cats will purr when alone as a way to comfort themselves. If you have a sick or injured cat that is purring, the purr isn't necessarily because you are holding or moving them. Please be mindful of their illness or injury and realize the purring may be to counteract pain or discomfort you are unintentionally causing. Just like humans yell to express both excitement or fear, a cat's purr can express both contentment or distress.
I pray to God to give you a lot of beautiful days and you know God loves us so much,So where are you originally from? I am David originally from Spain but currently living in Texas now.
My tomcat Tiger was very ill and nearly dying. He lost 2 kg of weight and was so small and vulnerable. I helt him in my arms constantly for 2 nights and 3 days, prepared that he will give up and go. But he did not. He purred as if to say "still here and holding on". So I didnt give up on him too. And today he is back to his old self and weight - and behavior, which means hunting and jumping and of course sleeping in my bed every night.
My cat is always happiest when he’s leaning on my cupped hand when he’s grooming himself. If I keep my hand there, once he’s done grooming, he’ll curl up and fall asleep purring.
#1: Cats love blinking. The cat blinks, You response blinking. They will love it. And humans will love it as well . #2: More or less, no animal likes to be kept up. They will accept it, as they love you, but they don't like it, as every animal prefers its freedom. #3: Tail up: I love You. Tail tipping: Hey, whats happening? Tail trembelling: Nervous stress. Cats are from a different planet, but it is not difficult to understand them. Just try to feel as they do, and there wont be any problem at all.
Very useful video; it would be so good if people would learn from it and use most of the advice given. Majority of people unfortunately does not respect their cat space! They see cats or dogs as a distraction some kind of toy which is very sad! Thank you for the video! Very good advice!
Thank you for your thoughtful comment! 💜 It's indeed important for pet owners to understand and respect their pets' needs and boundaries. Pets are not just toys or distractions; they are living beings with their own personalities and requirements for a fulfilling life. By following the advice in the video and being mindful of our pets' space and needs, we can build stronger and healthier relationships with them. I'm glad you found the advice helpful! 😸💜
My previous cat pretty obviously didn't love me, although we were still pretty good pals. She'd sit with me on the couch and give me baths and stuff, but she didn't slow blink or knead on me. The two boys I adopted a few years ago, on the other hand...man, we are besties. They greet me at the door and want to lick my face, they slow blink every time I look at them, they both knead on me all the time -- love hurts -- and one of them even stands up on his hind legs and solicits being picked up. It's a whole different experience.
I pray to God to give you a lot of beautiful days and you know God loves us so much,So where are you originally from? I am David originally from Spain but currently living in Texas now.
Since I remember I have had cats. Love them dearly. December 2018 a lovely cat showed up at my kitchen asking for food. I guess she was abandoned by her owners, because she was clean, well fed and friendly. On Christmas night, I found her sleeping on my bed. I decided to name her Christy. in February 28 she had 5 lovely kittens. all boys. When they were 4 months old, four of them found new homes, and I decided to keep one for both of us. Decy was a true joy but gained so much weight, and on May 12 2023, he died so suddently. Christy was so depressed for months, hiding in the moststrange places of the house. Finally she bounced back, but I am afraid to leave her while I take a one week vacation. My housekeeper would come twice a day, morning and around 4 in the afternoon, to feed her, clean the litter and play with her. I need a good advice. Can I leave Christy for one week??? She is used to my housekeeper and she lovesChristy as well. CAN I TAKE MY MUCH NEEDED VACATION ???
Beautifully made videos, well presented information, narrator with a calm voice, I enjoy watching your material. I haven't watched everything, but it'd be great if later, you'd also post more about different possible health issues (like the one you made with dangerous foods), how to observe them before going to the vet... Keep up the good work! 😊
Thank you for the information. The only bad idea I saw was showing a cat eating dyed feathers. Pet supply companies use unsafe products all the time to draw customers. Laser toys are proven unsafe. The dyes used in pet foods are under suspicion of causing cancer. When I worked in a wildlife center, we were told to never use newspaper that had red dye. I did come away with some good advice from your video. I'd like it if you did a video on getting outdoor cats who become indoor cats to live in peace with existing cats and a dog. We've had this 10-month-old kitty who lived outside her whole life. We've tried the usual methods to integrate her, but the cats continue to hiss at each other. I tried having their hair in the room from a brush. She hisses at that too. The two male cats each have tried to attack her. Even when I have them in a big dog cage (1 at a time) in her room, they hiss at each other. This has been going on for two months, where she stays in the bedroom by herself except for the 2 humans that visit her. and the others are in the coveted bedroom only in a cage.
I pray to God to give you a lot of beautiful days and you know God loves us so much,So where are you originally from? I am David originally from Spain but currently living in Texas now.
My rescue kitty will crawl up , put his paws on my chest and look me in the eyes then look back and forth from one of my eyes to other if I cry. Then he rubs his face on mine repeatedly to comfort me.
CAT TAIL PULLING, PART 2: Cats LIKE their tails pulled!- just don't yank it; a somewhat firm but not too firm tug. Now, I KNOW the common admonishment given to children: "Don't pull the cat's tail; they don't like it!" (or "you'll hurt them!"). But, really, what you should NOT do is *yank* the tail, or bend it unnaturally (too sharply, for instance). But a gentle tug seems to feel good to a cat. I'm 70, and have been around cats my whole life. Yet, only within the last, maybe 20 years have I realized this. Let me explain how I think this works: The tail is basically an extension of their spine - I know it's actually separated by the hip bone- but it's exactly in line with the spine. A gentle, yet somewhat firm pull, stretches that whole column along the top of their back, and gives a relief to their spinal discs, and it feels good to the cat. It's just like when a person often feels the need to stretch after either sitting for a long time, or maybe after having just waken up and gotten out of bed. You stretch yourself out- not necessarily knowing why - it just feels good for some reason, right? But you're providing a little relief to all your joints when you do that. Cat's stretch, too - you see it all the time. It's for the same reason, and it feels good to them. When you SLOWLY tug on the cat's tail, after you let go, the cat will turn around and bring his nose to your hand, as a gesture of appreciation. If the cat had NOT liked it, you would have gotten a swift swat. You have to do it properly; the cat will like it.
