Check out 5 common behaviors that can hurt your cat (Photo: Milada Vigerova/Unsplash)
As pet owners, we want our cats to always be happy and satisfied. However, some things we do can unintentionally hurt our cats.
In a conversation with Newsweek, experts revealed some things that pet owners do that can intentionally break the hearts of our beloved felines. Keep reading to find out what these are and what alternatives can be taken to avoid hurting your kitty:
1. Scolding them for bad behavior
One way to hurt your cat unintentionally is by scolding them when they misbehave. It might seem like an easy way to train them, but it actually has the opposite effect because they probably won’t understand.
To Newsweek, Preston Turano, a veterinarian and spokesperson for Felix Cat Insurance, explained that yelling and physical punishment should never be used when training or communicating with your cat.
“Positive reinforcement and encouragement are the best ways to achieve healthy and happy training while also strengthening the human-animal bond,” he emphasized.
2. Grabbing an adult cat by the scruff
While it’s generally acceptable to grab a kitten by the scruff, it’s not recommended when it comes to adult cats.
Since adult cats have a larger body mass than kittens, grabbing them this way can stress them out and hurt them, causing unnecessary strain on the neck and spine, which can lead to injuries such as muscle strains or even fractures.
3. Ignoring your cat when they demand attention
According to Mieshelle Nagelschneider, a feline behavior expert at The Cat Behavior Clinic, it’s a myth that cats are solitary animals.
In a conversation with Newsweek, she emphasized that cats have a vast social repertoire with other cats and will develop this with humans as well.
Therefore, ignoring your cat or not giving them meaningful interaction every day can create anxiety and stress for the feline.
4. Putting them in uncomfortable situations
According to Nagelschneider, making a cat endure excessive handling, dressing them when they clearly don’t like it, or forcing them to interact with other pets or people can create stress and fear.
“Unfortunately, we see a lot of this on social media, and it’s inhumane and goes against basic animal welfare,” she explained.
5. Neglecting their basic needs
Neglecting your cat’s basic needs is another way to fail them. Whether it’s ignoring their health needs, leaving their litter box dirty, or being inconsistent with their meal times, all of this can really hurt your cat.
According to Turano, cats thrive on routine, so maintaining consistent feeding times, ensuring their litter box is clean, and promoting regular health check-ups is a great way to avoid breaking your cat’s heart.
Photo and video: Unsplash. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
