Is Your Cat Grumpy?

You know all cats have ‘attitude’ right? I think that’s a well accepted fact. It’s also a fact that cats have quite individual personalities that set them apart from other pets. They are independent and selfish. The question is, are they reflecting their owner, or is it just a part of their particular breed?

If you try to compare them with say, Pit Bull Terriers. It’s true that this is an aggressive breed of dog, and, whilst they can be calm when with their owner, when they are off leash, well anything can happen. Compare them to, say, a Golden Labrador and you’ll see what a difference a breed makes. Is it the same with cats. Are tabby cats the angriest? Or black cats, do they own the title?

I’m happy to tell you that it has nothing to do with color, breed, or length of coat. It’s just a part of their little personalities. You won’t be able to predict it but you will get an idea from their early behavior. A small percentage of cats develop anti-social behavior and simply don’t like being petted. In fact it’s a bit like being a human isn’t it?

Do You Have The Angriest Cat?

I think it is helpful to think of an angry cat as a little human. What do you do to cure the temper tantrums. Well here are some steps and points you might want to consider:
1. Try to create and maintain a calm environment. Your new kitty can form some early habits based on early experiences. If the household has calm feeing there is a reduced likelihood of anxiety.
2. Give your new housemate some time to settle in. If he/she wants to hide under the bed, you can bet there may be a good reason, so let her stay there and come out when she wants to.
3. Remember that kitty is a sensitive creature by nature and can be easily spooked. If she doesn’t have the confidence to mix with the rest of the family immediately, a little time could be all that is required.
4. Even after the passage of time, perhaps kitty still wants time alone. This is normal in all animals including humans, so allow kitty time alone if that’s what she is seeking.
5. Remember that kitty may just be shy. People can be and so can cats. You may just have to accept kitty the way she is and leave her alone.
6. If you have adopted your cat and find that she is having difficulty settling in, remember her history may not have been a happy one and she is acting on past experiences whatever they may have been.

I hope the above thoughts have reduced your anxiety about owning the angriest cat in the town, and have helped you and, hopefully, kitty to adapt as naturally as possible to her new surroundings. And remember, there is always someone who has a story to tell as to why their cat is angrier than yours!