What to Expect from a Cat

DO

• Allow your cat to do cat things, such as scratch. This means providing a cat scratching post (I use a carpet remnant), but don’t stop your cat from scratching. If you find her scratching the furniture, give her a better alternative. 
• Get to know your cat. Is she chatty, or usually quite? Does she liked to be picked up and held, or is that like trying to hold a puddle of water? By the way, try this trick for the hard-to-hold cat: if you normally pick your cat up and have her face the right side of your body, turn her around so she faces the left side. I have a Siamese cat who hates to be held in one direction, but loves to be held in the other.
• Report strange behavior to your vet. If your cat becomes quiet, lethargic, aggressive or otherwise displays unusual behavior, inform your veterinarian.
• Learn all the ways a cat will talk to you. Did you know that most cats show they are happy when they walk by putting their tales up proudly in the air? A suddenly droopy tail might mean your cat is unwell. When cats give you a slow blink, it’s like saying “I love and trust you.” Cats are always on the lookout, and when she blinks at you and looks away, she is telling you that she trusts you so much she doesn’t have to watch your every move.
• Play with your cat, but remember, your play is her hunting! Cats will often hide and then pounce as you walk by, attacking a toe or grabbing your ankle before scooting off. She is playing with you, and you can make it fun by making yourself easy to grab. Your cat will need at least 10 minutes twice a day of real, dedicated fun. I use a child’s fishing rod with a little pink plastic fish on the end (I call it Nemo!). I cast the fish, the cats chase the fish (and sometimes just the string), and they have great fun. 
• Tell her how much you love her. Use your voice, your hands, whatever you want. She will show you love back.

DON’T

• Remove your cat’s claws. It’s like cutting off your fingertips to get rid of your nails! It is cruel. Be realistic: cat’s scratch. Deal with it. If you don’t want cats to scratch your furniture or drapes, don’t get a cat. That does not mean you should let your cat go wild with bad behavior, but it does mean that you can expect some kind of damage. Through careful furniture arrangements, some nice slipcovers and an occasional “no no!”, my 10-year-old sofa is still in very good condition.
• Scold your cat for being a cat. Cats will pounce, jump, run, have “kitty Olympics” and otherwise express their wild animal selves. Let your cat be a cat, participate when you can, and get out of the way when she goes wacky!
• If your furniture has a tight woven fabric covering it, do not give your cat a tight woven fabric scratching post! To the cat, there is no difference. Try a cardboard scratcher instead.
• Punish your cat for not using the litter box. Chances are it’s too dirty for her. And her opinion of “too dirty” can change over time. I had an elderly cat who for years shared one litter box with 2 other cats, but as he aged, decided that he would not use it if the others had left any poop-packages behind. It meant cleaning it more often than I had been, but it solved the problem quickly. If it is ongoing or unexplained, talk to your vet.