10 Things Your Cat Wishes You Knew

Not all of us hate water

Look, if you try to bathe us, there’s a good chance we’re going to fight you on it. The same goes for giving us medicine, putting us in silly outfits, or generally forcing us to do anything that isn’t our own idea. If you dug a little deeper, you would find that there are actually cats out there that live for getting their paws wet. The truth is, a hatred of water is not a universal cat trait and the fact that you think it is really speaks to your insensitivity and ignorance.

You belong to me for life

Yeah, we know that you may be the one who adopted, rescued, or otherwise acquired us, but you actually belong to us now. For life. When we rub against you or headbutt you, we’re marking you with our scent. We want to make sure to let our buddies know that if they encounter you out and about in the world, you’re already claimed.

I can sense your stress and anxiety

We’re perceived as steely and strong, but underneath this tough, incredibly good-looking exterior, we’re quite sensitive. Some of us can be really reactive to your emotions, too. If you notice your cat becoming withdrawn, sullen, or anxious, you should first rule out any health issues with your vet. After you’ve been assured of your cat’s health, you should figure out how you can make yourself feel better so we can both feel better. It’s the loving thing to do.

Purring doesn’t always mean I’m happy

You wouldn’t let your human friend off the hook if they answered “fine” angrily at you when you asked how they were doing. Give us the same consideration, please. Sometimes purring can mean that we’re hurt, sick, or nervous. If we don’t seem content or like we’re enjoying ourselves, be a good friend and check into it. We aren’t intentionally being complicated or sending mixed signals, you just aren’t fluent in our language. We’re counting on you to observe our body language and pay attention to context so you can figure out what we’re trying to tell you.

Litter box freshness matters

You wouldn’t be too excited to use a dirty bathroom, would you? Why do you think we would be okay with it? It’s because we can’t flush toilets, isn’t it? Look, litter box cleanliness matters. If you can’t keep it clean, you’ll probably start finding some “presents” in unexpected places. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

I enjoy the great outdoors

Sometimes watching the birds from our usual perch at the window just doesn’t cut it. I mean, we’re not itching to give up our spot on the couch permanently or anything crazy like that, but sometimes some of us do want to get outside for a bit. Just keep a really close eye on us, okay? We’re small and there are plenty of dangers outside of our homes that we need you to protect us from. Also, we can sometimes be easily distracted, and might run off to chase something. Please save us from ourselves.

I own these countertops.

And the tabletop. And pretty much anything else in our homes that we decide is ours. We live here, and you can’t keep us from going wherever we want to go when you’re gone. If you’re not here, there’s nothing keeping us from doing what we want to do.

I do actually love you

Even though we may seem aloof sometimes, we do actually love you. In fact, we don’t like it when you’re gone for extended periods. We miss you and wonder when you’ll be home. There. We said it. We don’t have to get all mushy about it, okay? Like we said before, you belong to us for life. You can repay us with your unrelenting adoration and all of the tuna in the cupboard.

They may be your friends, but I don’t want to hang out with them

Not all cats are hermits, but some of us are selective with our friendship. We have pretty high standards. Don’t get too offended if we make ourselves scarce when your friends come over, and please tell them not to take it personally. Or don’t. We don’t really care either way. We don’t crave the approval of your social circle.

I’m not as tough as I seem

We may make a big show about being self-sufficient and not following you around like a puppy, but the truth is, we do need your attention. We can get bored pretty easily, and since you’re our person, it’s up to you to help us with that. Before you leave, please help us out by leaving some toys out. When you get home, the first thing on your to-do list should be to shower us with your affection and attention (unless the food bowl is empty, in which case the affection becomes second on your to-do list).

Well, that about sums it up. Hopefully, you can take this information and use it to make a better life for your BFF (best feline friend, obviously).