This is a bit of a long post, so I've split it in two.
1/2
Hi there,
I’m going to be a bit blunt, but I have to say Wesetmi’s comment really rubbed me the wrong way.
People need to learn a bit about cats before blaming them for all the world's problems:
- The whole 'I want in, I want out, I hate closed doors' thing—that’s normal. Cats are territorial. They’re also anxious animals that are both predators and prey in the wild; so, especially if a cat doesn't feel settled in their environment, they’ll have a compulsive need to patrol their territory. Closed doors? Not for them. It’s a pain, but that’s just how they are.
- Just because social media is full of lovely, cuddly cats, it doesn’t mean they’re all like that—far from it. Plus, a lot of cat owners are completely clueless when it comes to their cats; it’s a fact I’ve seen time and again on this forum and in real life.
- Aggression in cats usually comes from the owner not understanding their pet's needs.
- When it comes to food, there’s often an underlying reason, which could be medical or behavioural (or sometimes the owner’s fault for not storing the food properly). But yes, some cats are famously fussy. I’ve known about fifteen cats over the last 40 years and I’ve never had that problem... but I’m not saying it doesn’t happen.
Now, a word for Emy:
You know what? You don’t actually have to love your cat! :) Cats are quite unique animals with a huge range of personalities from one individual to the next.
However, once you understand the reasons behind their behaviour, you can start to get a better handle on your relationship with them.
First, the meowing: The cat in your profile picture isn't a Siamese, but since you’ve identified Jézabel as one, let’s go with that. Siamese are very chatty, and their meowing can really get on your nerves. But did you know that 'feral' adult cats hardly ever meow? (Except for mums with their kittens). Domestic cats keep meowing into adulthood to communicate with their humans. So, when Jézabel meows, she’s talking to you. As for what she wants, only you can know that—it’s by watching your cat that you decode the reasons for the meowing.
Doing her business indoors (I assume you mean in her litter tray?): This means she considers your home to be her territory. That’s perfectly normal and actually quite reassuring; I don't really see why that would make you feel less for her (again, a cat isn’t a dog! :))
She’s not a cuddler? As I explained above, not all cats are affectionate; it’s just a fact. We’ve got a little sweetheart like that at home, but we love her to bits anyway.
