I am not the cat owner, but I am concerned about it, so I thought I would ask elsewhere.
There’s a cat at my school who likes to roam around the classrooms while accepting pets and such; it’s extremely cute, and the school allows it because it’s the director’s cat or whatever.
Today, I arrived early and found the school open… This cat is quite strange.
I discovered it outside, waiting for the school to start; it enjoys scratching its head against anything (people’s legs, wands that are already caressing it, walls, chair legs, whatever in its line of sight), and it never stops meowing.
It’s a well-behaved cat, but I am just curious about its actions… Is something wrong, or am I overreacting?
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Cats have smell glands on their faces, and they rub them against persons and objects in their near vicinity to mark and/or claim their territory. This is natural feline behavior.
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But is it normal that it never stops?
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Unfortunately, that cat sounds anxious to me.
I’m not a cat behaviorist; I’m just an internet rando, but that’s my best guess (based on my research from the Tufts University vet school link in my initial comment). Maybe this cat would prefer to stay at home.
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Each cat has its own unique personality. Some cats love cuddling, while others prefer affection on their own terms. If your cat isn’t a cuddler, it doesn’t mean they don’t care about you. You might find yourself quickly adapting to their habits.
Cats are pretty independent and can take care of themselves. They groom themselves and each other, so you don’t need to worry about giving them baths. However, you might want to get them microchipped and insured. If you adopt from a shelter, they might require microchipping as part of the adoption process.
If you’re new to cat ownership, adopting a kitten might be overwhelming because of their high energy and playful behavior. Adult cats are usually fine being left alone during the workday as long as they have enough food, water, and a clean litter box.
Things to Avoid:
- Declawing your cat, as it involves amputating parts of their toes, which is painful and makes using the litter box uncomfortable.
- Putting food and water bowls next to each other or near the litter box. Cats prefer their food and water to be separate from their litter box to keep things clean.
- Using your hands as toys. It’s better to use actual toys to avoid scratches and bites.
Things to Do:
- Have your cat spayed or neutered and keep up with their vaccinations.
- Provide one litter box per cat, plus one extra if you have the space.
- Offer plenty of scratching posts, toys, and other forms of stimulation.
- Keep the litter box clean, as cats don’t like using a dirty one.
Following these tips will help ensure a positive experience for both you and your cat.