Have you ever watched a cat eat? You will notice that - even they they are domesticated animals who are fed prepackaged meals in nice little food bowls - they still eat in a “beast of prey” manner. They will take a piece of meat that you feed it and shake it around, pull at it, toss it up in the air, swallow it without chewing, etc. They may even regurgitate the meal and hide it!
Why would a domesticated cat eat like this? The answer is simple. They are genetically programmed (like any animal is) to hunt for their food and behave in a predatory manner. Even small young kittens will have this response. In a litter, a kitten will defend its food (prey) by making hissing sounds or even using the spitting defense against its littermates. However, if food is served to a cat or a group of cats that is on the soft mushy side, or in bits of pieces, then the food does not provoke the action of prey, and the cats will eat out of the same bowl while getting along just fine.
That “purring” sound that cats make can be traced back to when they were kittens. This sound is what kittens make when they need to communicate to their mother that they are content. You will notice that your cat purrs when being pet and rubbed in a caressing manner. Well as kittens, this was their way of letting mom know that everything is fine and that they are happy.
Another reason why cats make a purring sound is to alert their nest of kittens as they approach them. Why does a mother cat need to do this? Well it reassures the little kittens that it is their mom and not an enemy. Of course today’s domesticated cat and its litter does not need to worry about real danger from outside animals, but this behavior are in a cat’s genes that trace back to their ancestors.
Ask any relationship counselor about what it takes to make a great relationship, and they will tell you that communication is key. The same goes for you and your cat. If you want to create a strong bond and enjoy a loving and affectionate relationship with your feline friends, then you must understand what cats are saying and how they are using their body language to convey their emotions.
By learning more about how your cat tries to communicate with you, it will only strengthen your bond and make life more enjoyable - not only for you, but for your cat as well. Cats are like creatures from another planet in that they’re very different from people and as a cat lover myself, I can honestly say that it’s a fantastic learning experience when you find out more of what goes on in the cat’s mind.
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