Feline Friday: Kitty Communication & How Cats Read

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Feline Friday: Kitty Communication & How Cats Read

Cats always seem drawn to sit on top of books.

TGIFF…Feline Friday, that is. In honor of TAKE YOUR CAT TO THE VET week, I'm re-running a blog (with a few updates) that some of my newest subscribers may not have seen. Enjoy!

Do your cats know how to read? Well of COURSE they do. I suspect our felines subscribe to the Kitty Manual on Rooling Humanz or wouldn't have such a uniform method of intervention.

They simply sit on the page (or the E-reader), and absorb the text through their (ahem) nether regions. Just check out Wall-E, in the picture "reading" my first-aid book. Kitties want to be prepared. *s* What do YOUR cat's read?

Speaking of being prepared, if you have a new kitten over the summer I'm sure you're making the right next paw-steps to properly socialize the little fur-kid. Cats can be trained (yes, they can!) at any age, and continue to learn throughout their lives. But kittens are furry sponges that absorb lessons, both good and bad, at an incredible pace.

Kittens are works in progress--and need help with socialization!

This prime kitten socialization period is a narrow window during babyhood when learning the "wrong" lessons can emotionally cripple the cat. For example, kittens not exposed to positive experiences with humans during this period will be wild (feral) critters and never accept people. Well actually they MAY accept a very patient and loving human who makes extra effort, but they won't be the "pet-able" kitties we long to snuggle. Proper socialization teaches a cat how to be a cat, proper feline manners, how to communicate with other felines, and who the cat's friends and enemies are.

The age when kittens are most receptive is two-to-seven weeks. That's about the age of this gorgeous baby in Maria Magnus photo, above. Have your new kittens been properly socialized? How did you manage this? Proper socialization can be very helpful in getting them to visit the vet with the least amount of trauma!

Kittens tend to be snuggle-pusses. But adult cats can be puzzling when it comes to wanting attention. Or does your cat ask to be petted and then walk away and wait j-u-s-t out of reach, playing keep away for you to come to her? Seren does this, and I know other readers also experience "kitty keep away" behavior. She'll move enough that I need to take a step, bend over and reach to pet again-whereupon she again tippy-toe dances a finger's width away. I've seen cats (including Seren) do this over and over and over. Find out the reasons behind this behavior here.

I suspect that a future blog will cover the pushing "Velcro" kitties that pester constantly for attention. Is there a happy middle with kitties? Naw….that would be boring!

I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you'd like answered? Be sure to get your requests in the comments. Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, "like" me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, listen to the weekly radio show, check out weekly FREE PUPPY CARE newsletter, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter with pet book give-aways!