Our cats are lucky in that they live in a super sensory world compared to ours. They can see, hear and smell things that are far beyond our abilities. Their physiology makes the ears, nose, eyes and tactile receptors such as whiskers incredibly sensitive in most areas and ranges that far exceed what you and I could do. I’m sure you’ve noticed that your cat seems aware of everything that goes on around it.
The cat’s whole body is sensitive to vibration with the paws especially so. It is thought that this sensitivity is linked to reports of cats that have predicted the proximity of earth tremors. They can ‘feel’ the pre-tremors or perceive the changes in the earth’s magnetic field. While we humans need very expensive specialized machinery for this sort of understanding, a cat appears to sense the atmospheric changes we miss. Science tells us that positively charged ions are released into the air just before some earthquakes. It seems very likely that our beautiful domestic cat can sense a change in the atmospheric static electricity through their fur. There are well documented occurrences of cats leaving villages mere hours before an earthquake.
The ability of the cat to detect changes in the atmospheric pressure is also thought to be why cats appear to be able to predict the weather. A cat may find a chair in a sunny spot before the clouds lift. They will also curl up in a secluded place or refuse to go outside if they sense rain. Some cats will vigorously rub and wash their ears before a storm as it is their very sensitive inner ear which detects these atmospheric changes.
It is thought that cats hold an internal ‘mapping’ of visual and scent aspects of where they are and other familiar routes they take. This is how they ‘find’ themselves when lost. They come across a previously ‘mapped’ area and it triggers a message in their brain which allows them to then find their way home. This is particularly marked in cats that have formed a strong bond with their family. Perhaps it is the vibrations and the cat’s sensitivity to them. It is believed that cats navigate using ‘homing’ instincts similar to those used by homing pigeons and migrating birds. Salmon are a perfect example of this as they unerringly find their way to where they were spawned when the time is right.
There have been many documented cases of cats travelling hundreds of miles to be reunited with their family, even though the way is not ‘mapped’ internally. There are also documented cases of cats who have accidently been left behind walking many hundreds of miles from the old home to the new home of their family. I cannot explain this as there can be no internal ‘mapping’ in these instances yet these cats will do anything to be reunited.
Is this ESP? A sixth sense? Or is it just five very well developed senses and an incredible bond with their family.
This sort of toy is perfect for teaching a kitten to catch its own prey.
Cats and kittens are a wonderful creatures. They are inquisitive, energetic, and love to play. They can be easily occupied with nothing more than a ball of string, a small ball with a bell in it, a feather on a string or a soft toy. It is so easy to lose an hour or two playing with your kitten or cat and bonding with it. And the more time spent playing with and bonding with your cat, the more love and affection you will receive in return.
The games that kittens love to play are those that will help develop their natural instincts. Games like chasing and pouncing on things help train them to catch their own food, such as mice. Of course, the more practice they have, the better they will become at catching their own food. Be prepared for your kitten to practice on you. Kittens love to hide behind things and leap out at you as you walk past. As kittens, they are not really aware of the significance of what they are doing. To them, it is just a fun game. However it is essential for their growth and maturity that they be allowed to practice this behavior. It is up to you to train your kitten so they don’t hurt you when they are playing. What is fun in a kitten can become very annoying in a full grown cat. A gentle nip from a kitten can become a blood-drawing bite from an adult cat and it is much easier to train a kitten than retrain an adult. They have no way of knowing what is right or wrong unless they are taught.
Like all living things, kittens and cats crave love and safety. They need someone they can trust to provide them with love, and the necessities of life. Kittens, especially, need boundaries set. Unwelcome behavior is such as jumping on the counter or desk, or scratching furniture need to be changed as early as possible. Just like with children, the longer you leave bad habits unchallenged, the longer it takes to change them.
Remember, these are natural instincts that would have been taught by their mother if they had stayed with her. A cat’s natural instincts are crucial for their survival. And it is so much fun watching them and playing with them while they develop these skills.
Continue reading about Your Cat’s Natural Instincts And Behavior
