Have you ever wondered what your feline friend would say if they could speak your language? Your cat might seem mysterious and independent, yet they’re constantly trying to communicate with you through their body language and behavior. Unfortunately, many well-meaning cat owners make common mistakes that cause stress, discomfort, or even health problems for their furry companions. These missteps often happen because we project human emotions and preferences onto our cats, forgetting that they have very different needs and boundaries.
Cats have been our companions for thousands of years, yet many of their true desires remain misunderstood. They communicate their feelings through subtle signals that are easy to miss or misinterpret. By learning to understand what your cat would tell you if they could talk, you’ll not only strengthen your bond but also ensure their happiness and wellbeing. Let’s dive into the most common mistakes that would make your cat say, “Stop doing that immediately!”
Stop Touching Me in All the Wrong Places
Your cat would be the first to tell you that they find certain touching areas unpleasant and that failing to respect their personal space is one of the most common mistakes cat owners make. While you might think your cat enjoys belly rubs like a dog, most cats find their stomach area incredibly sensitive and vulnerable. Some cats prefer to be scratched under the chin or between the ears instead of receiving whole-body strokes, with gentle petting using one finger on the face and cheeks being much more comfortable.
Cat behavior research shows that people are more likely to follow cats’ cues and avoid inappropriate touching areas when they understand feline behavior. Your cat’s paws, tail base, and hindquarters are often sensitive spots that many cats prefer to keep to themselves. Forcing hugs or physical affection on a cat that is averse to it can lead to increased stress, anxiety, and behavioral problems, as disrespecting these boundaries creates unwanted physical contact.
Stop Forcing Your Affection on Me
For a healthy human-feline relationship, you need to allow your cat to set the pace and let your cat come to you for petting and attention. Your cat would tell you that forced cuddles and unwanted kisses make them incredibly uncomfortable. Anxious cats were more likely to have affection forced on them, and research shows these cats had exactly the opposite oxytocin reaction, with their levels being higher before human interaction and lower afterwards.
Successful cat interactions begin with allowing the cat to make the first move by extending your hand and letting them approach and sniff first, which respects their need to assess the situation and gives them control. Think of consent as crucial for cats just like it is for humans. Cat affection doesn’t always mean physical touch, as sometimes slow blinks or just being present is as meaningful as a cuddle, and when you let your cat set the pace, even an avoidant cat may become more affectionate over time.
Stop Declawing Me
If your cat could speak, they would scream about the horror of declawing. Declawing is the amputation of the last bone of each toe on a cat’s paw, which would be like cutting off your finger at the last knuckle. Declawing can cause paw pain, back pain, infection, tissue necrosis and lameness, as removing claws changes the way a cat’s feet meet the ground and can cause pain like wearing an uncomfortable pair of shoes.
Studies suggest that declawed cats are significantly more likely to have behavioral problems including inappropriate urination, biting, aggression, and overgrooming. Many declawed cats stop using their litter boxes because they may associate the pain they feel in their paws when trying to cover their waste with the litter box itself. Scratching is normal cat behavior that helps cats stretch their muscles, shed the outer nail sheath from their claws and mark territory, while in the wild, cats use their claws to catch prey, defend themselves and escape from predators.
Stop Making My Litter Box a Nightmare
Many times, cats stop using the litter box because of their owners’ mistakes, which may include not cleaning the box often enough, not providing a box big enough, choosing a litter the cat doesn’t like, not providing enough litter boxes, not placing it in the right location, and allowing the cat to be startled while using it. Your cat would tell you that a dirty, smelly litter box is as disgusting to them as a filthy public restroom is to you.
As a rule of thumb, veterinarians typically recommend one litter box per cat plus one extra, so if you have one cat you should have two litter boxes, two cats should have three litter boxes. Cats are very clean animals and they hate dirty smelly litter boxes, and if their litter box is not clean enough they’re more likely to do their business on the floor, so having an extra box ensures when you’ve been too busy to clean up your cats have somewhere tidy to relieve themselves. Privacy matters too – it’s important to invest in a good fragrance-free cat litter and place it in a quiet room that’s free of frequent activity.
Stop Overfeeding Me
The most common mistake veterinarians see is cat owners feeding their cats too much food per day, with over half the cats seen each day being overweight as cat parents overfill the food bowl, leave it available all day, and forget that treats contribute to total daily calorie intake. Your cat would tell you that while they might beg for more food, you’re actually harming them by giving in to those pleading eyes.
According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, approximately 60 percent of American cats are overweight or obese, with the main cause being leaving a bowl of food out all day, especially if the kibble brand is high in carbs which tempts cats to overeat. Being overweight significantly reduces a cat’s quality of life, making them more prone to developing diseases, and even being moderately overweight can shorten their lifespan. The solution is to feed your cat a balanced diet of both wet and dry food while avoiding leaving food out all day for grazing, instead setting a daily feeding schedule and leaving food dishes out for just 30-45 minutes.
Stop Ignoring My Need for Mental Stimulation
A lack of stimulation is a fatal mistake many cat owners can make without even realizing it, as not only can bored cats become aggressive and destructive, but boredom can cause other serious issues too. Your cat would tell you that they’re not lazy couch decorations – they’re intelligent predators who need mental and physical challenges every day.
Many cat owners don’t realize that a lack of stimulation can be a fatal mistake, as bored cats can become aggressive and destructive, and boredom can cause cats to start over-grooming which can lead to skin conditions, or become increasingly stressed and depressed. The solution is to make a point to play with your cat multiple times every day, aiming for 10-15 minutes per session, and create vertical space with multiple cat trees throughout your home so your furry friend can climb and play.
Stop Using Your Hands as Toys
Another mistake often made by cat owners involves using your hands to play with your cat, as you should never encourage your cat to bite or scratch you, even in play, and should substitute a suitable toy instead. Your cat would tell you that when you play with them using your hands, you’re teaching them that human skin is an appropriate target for their hunting instincts.
Playing with your hands might seem cute when your cat is small, but this behavior becomes problematic as they grow larger and stronger. Your cat learns that hands are prey items, which can lead to painful scratches and bites during what should be gentle interactions. Often cats are happy just to rub on their person and don’t need extended handling at all. Instead of using your hands, redirect their energy toward appropriate toys like feather wands, balls, or mice that satisfy their hunting drive without associating human body parts with playtime.
Stop Skipping My Health Care
One of the most common fatal mistakes cat owners can make is failing to keep up with their cat’s dental and health care, as cats and humans don’t share a common language so it’s not possible for your kitty to tell you when something is wrong, making it a huge accidental and potentially fatal mistake when owners forget to stay up to date with their kitty’s overall physical health care.
Going to the Internet when you should be going to your veterinarian is a mistake, as while the Internet is good for research if you choose correct sources to trust, if your cat is in distress or injured, don’t waste precious time online but get your cat to the veterinarian instead. It’s always better to be preventative rather than wait until your cat is seriously ill or in pain, so regular proper health care is a must, including setting up a yearly check-up with your vet, with many veterinary offices even calling or texting to remind you about annual health checks. Your cat would tell you that early detection of problems can mean the difference between a simple treatment and a life-threatening condition.
Your cat’s inability to speak doesn’t mean they can’t communicate their needs clearly. By paying attention to their body language, respecting their boundaries, and avoiding these common mistakes, you’ll create a stronger, healthier relationship with your feline companion. Remember that every cat is unique, and what works for one may not work for another. The key is observation, patience, and genuine respect for your cat’s individual personality and preferences. What do you think your cat has been trying to tell you? Tell us in the comments.
