Hi, I’m Christopher! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my silly Russian Blue cat, Olga.

Unlike their owners, most cats aren’t fascinated by television, which is probably good because the feline obesity problem would be much worse. Some indoor cats don’t get enough exercise, and if they are glued to the tube instead of chasing catnip mice and racing through their homes, they’ll gain weight. Olga isn’t too interested in watching TV, but sometimes she gets irritated by sound effects and soundtracks.

Young Olga’s Courage

As a kitten, Olga seemed fearless. She wasn’t easily frightened until the 4^th of July, and she ordinarily ignored the stereo and television. If I was too focused on a film, she attacked my feet or climbed to the top of the chair to smack me in the head. Like many young cats, Olga only had two speeds: high gear and park (asleep).

Her First Response to TV

When I moved to a new house with more space, she was almost a year old. I set up a stereo with a powerful subwoofer, and the first movie I watched sent Olga running for cover. The volume was too loud, and the MGM lion’s roar made her hop in the air and run under the bed in the other room. She only reacted to the roar once and determined the sound was not coming from a giant, wild cat.

Some animal experts recommend leaving a TV or stereo on when you leave to comfort your pets. Since I’ve never filmed Olga when she’s alone in the house, I’m not sure a nature program or 24-hour feed of the world’s largest aviary would help her separation anxiety.

Adult Ambivalence

She doesn’t bat an ear when she hears bird calls or nature sounds on the television, which is strange since she looks confused and irritated when she hears Pink Floyd’s Several Species of Small Furry Animals Gathered Together in a Cave and Grooving With a Pick. It’s also odd that Olga doesn’t react to the sound of fireworks on television. She freezes in fear when she hears them going off in my neighborhood, but explosions and gunfire don’t phase her when they’re not real.

Deep Bass Annoyance

Sometimes, the sound effects from movies grab her attention but rarely make her run away. She doesn’t like the sound of the self-destruct siren at the end of Aliens or the screaming at the beginning of the original House on Haunted Hill with Vincent Price. However, the only sound that makes her move closer to the speaker and question her sanity is a low, rumbling bass.

David Lynch’s films often include a prolonged rumble to build suspense or lead up to a shocking scene, and Olga isn’t fond of his sound effects. I have to turn down the volume to prevent her from clawing up the subwoofer. As for the images on the television, nothing seems to interest Olga, whether there are songbirds chirping or rodents squeaking. Leaving the TV on may help some cats when their owners leave, but Olga prefers humans to flatscreens.

The post How Cats Respond to the Television: Olga’s Occasional Reactions by Christopher Bays appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Hi, I’m Christopher! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my silly Russian Blue cat, Olga.

Brushing your cat’s coat keeps it healthy, reduces shedding, redistributes the natural oil, and sometimes allows you to practice first-aid skills. Veterinarians and behavioral specialists recommend introducing grooming to cats when they’re kittens, and while I agree with their advice, Olga’s early experiences were more violent than beneficial.

Youthful Aggression

As a kitten, her oversized head and potbelly gave her a comical appearance, but underneath the cute exterior lay the soul of a psychopath. I let her examine the brush and left it on the couch for a few hours before attempting a grooming session, but my efforts were in vain. After sniffing it and hitting it a few times, she ignored it, which seemed promising since she didn’t consider it a threat.

However, when I tried to brush her, she curled into a ball and attacked my hand with her sharp teeth and claws. I made several attempts, but grooming a cat is challenging when she doesn’t allow you to touch her back, side, or belly.  She only allowed petting on her neck and head, so I gave up trying to brush her until she became an adult and calmed down.

Early Days of Grooming

She kept her coat clean as a kitten and never developed mats or tangles. After she was around a year old, I bought a softer brush that was gentler on her light coat. She didn’t attack me but kept trying to eat the brush. Then, I tried bribing her, a positive reinforcement classic, when she behaved after a grooming session.

I gave her a treat when she sat still for more than a few seconds, and it seemed to work. Subsequent sessions were more productive; eventually, I could brush 2/3rds of her coat without getting injured or frustrated.

Present-Day Grooming

Sometimes, I think rewarding for good behavior worked too well. When I brush her fur or trim her nails, she purrs, moves around, and tries to rub her head on my neck. I know purring sounds more appealing than scratching and biting, but at least when she attacked me, she generally stayed in one place.

She’s not as food-motivated as she was when she was younger, but she gets excited and more affectionate before her feeding times.  I don’t give her treats after grooming or nail-trimming sessions, but she still expects them and continues to use manipulative love to convince me she’s malnourished.

Luckily, Olga’s thin coat doesn’t require frequent brushing, and her sound-barrier-breaking tongue handles most of the daily maintenance. She only resorts to violence after I trim her front claws and move on to the rear ones. I usually trim one and two before she screams and tries to hit me in the face. I considered buying a hockey mask and Kevlar sleeves to protect myself, but hydrogen peroxide and bandages are more affordable. Besides, she’s too relaxed sometimes, and I like seeing my miniature panther in attack mode. It takes me back to the days of her violent youth.

The post Cat Grooming Challenges: Olga’s Battle With the Brush by Christopher Bays appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Hi, I’m Christopher! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my silly Russian Blue cat, Olga.

Cats fill our lives with joy, but they also tear up furniture, knock priceless items off shelves, bully other pets, and wake us up in the middle of the night. Miniature predators must entertain themselves, and most homes don’t simulate their natural environment. Handling an unruly feline is challenging, but disciplining them like you would a child is usually ineffective.

Disciplining Felines

I agree with veterinarians and behavioral experts that hitting or screaming at cats when they misbehave is cruel. However, shouting at the top of your lungs is much different than raising your voice, and it’s hard to utter gentle advice when your cat is being a jerk. I understand that cats have sensitive hearing, but I’ve raised my voice more than a few times when Olga misbehaves.

She enjoys diving into the blinds when she gets a sudden burst of energy, and I’m surprised she has never damaged them or broken a window. She also likes playing hockey with toiletries when she jumps on the bathroom vanity. Saying “No” or “Stop it” works temporarily, but unless I approach her, she’ll continue her mischief.

She runs away when I approach her, and it usually prompts her to engage in a game of hide and seek, which is preferable to the previous antics. I can also divert her attention with a ball of paper or a silver vine stick. That’s the extent of my disciplinary measures; anything else I do is futile. Even though I’ve lost a few pints of blood from Olga’s attacks and replaced a few items she destroyed, I don’t consider her a bad cat.

Ineffective Methods

I’ve observed other disciplinary techniques used by friends and acquaintances that aren’t cruel but are ineffective and slightly ridiculous. For example, I had a friend who used to put her cat in time-out when he misbehaved. She would grab him, carry him to her bedroom, and close the door. Then, she would lecture him with baby talk like he was a toddler.

I doubt he understood her unless he was more intelligent than I imagined. Cats don’t respond to paragraphs, and some don’t even come when you call their names. Treating them like little kids is cute, in a way, but also absurd. Distracting Olga and limiting her access to her favorite objects to destroy usually works, but sometimes, she finds a new way to irritate me.

Olga’s Thick Skin

She isn’t a needy cat or as affectionate as my Siamese cat, but she’s more forgiving. She doesn’t hold a grudge if I fuss at her or chase her away. After ending her destruction, she’ll still jump in my lap or nap by my feet. In contrast, My Siamese would turn away, try not to look at me, and scream as loud as he could after I criticized his bad behavior.

Olga doesn’t sulk or get stressed when I end her fun, probably because she knows I’m not a disciplinarian and that she can always attack the blinds another day.

The post Is Disciplining a Cat Useful or Effective? Olga Says No! by Christopher Bays appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Hi, I’m Christopher! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my silly Russian Blue cat, Olga.

Cats keep us entertained, and most cat owners are happy to share their homes with miniature, slightly psychotic predators. They’re friendlier and more intelligent than some give them credit for, but their behavior can get them into trouble and lead to rehoming or euthanization.

Aggression and inappropriate elimination are the most common reasons for booting a cat out of the house and sending them to a shelter, and while stalking may not be a justifiable reason, it affects how some people perceive felines.

Feline Stalking

Stalking isn’t an admirable quality in humans, but it’s part of a cat’s DNA and unlikely to be diminished by selective breeding. A sneak attack by a cat hiding in the dark may cause your heart to skip a beat or make you scream, and I’m sure some unethical owners have reacted violently. Unlike most cat parents, I’m proud of my cat when she takes me by surprise and impressed by her stealth.

I get irritated when she forgets to retract her claws before attacking my legs, but most of the time, she only uses her pads after a sneak attack. I’m her favorite target since she can’t go outside and only hunts insects in the summer.

Olga’s Creepy Joy

The family of mockingbirds in my yard raiding my blueberry bushes are lucky Olga has to watch them from a windowsill and cannot engage in predatory stalking. It’s not only instinctual for cats to stalk and attack their owners but also entertaining. Olga is happiest when she jumps in front of me, hunches up her back, and attacks my calves with both paws.

She likes to be chased around the house and waits until my head is turned and I’m walking in the opposite direction to attack. Unlike the felines that surprise people in movies, Olga looks more energized than frightened.

Hollywood’s Feline Stalkers

Frightened cats often leap out and shriek when they scare people in horror films. It usually occurs when a character looks for a killer or creature in a creepy setting, like an abandoned warehouse, and jumps back when they find a cat instead.

In Alien, Jonesy (the cat) surprises Brett when he walks around the creepiest area of the ship and hisses to warn him that he’s about to be devoured by the extraterrestrial behind him. Since she’s not very vocal or protective, Olga would run before warning me of danger and wouldn’t use her stalking skills if frightened.

Young Olga’s Techniques

If she’s scared, she hides under a couch and doesn’t move, but stalking is a game to her. She has to be in a good mood, but when she was a kitten, she was more aggressive and craftier.

She surprised and attacked me when I took a shower, turned off the light to go to bed, and whenever I was half asleep in the recliner. When the recliner was in the upright position, she would claw her way up the back and hit me in the head. Olga’s not as creative with her stalking moves today, but she still attacks me when she’s hiding in the dark.

The post Is Your Cat a Stalker? Olga’s Creepy Ways by Christopher Bays appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Hi, I’m Christopher! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my silly Russian Blue cat, Olga.

Before a friend gave me a Siamese cat several years ago, I knew little about them and had no idea how vocal they were. I met several people who thought they were meaner and more devious than other breeds, which isn’t accurate, but I don’t think they formed their opinions from their personal experiences.

Cartoon Animals

When they were kids, they probably watched Lady and the Tramp and didn’t appreciate how Am and Si treated the dogs. Movies and television programs influence us more than we would like to admit, and Disney, in particular, has had a profound impact on our understanding of animals.

The writers and producers have good intentions, and it’s not their fault that we make assumptions based on the actions of animated cats and dogs. Some blame 101 Dalmatians for an increase in overbreeding and deafness in Dalmatians, but the film didn’t contain subliminal messages encouraging everyone to adopt and mistreat a high-energy breed.

Making Siamese look like manipulative fiends or portraying Dalmatians as pets any family can own doesn’t bother me. Cartoonists and writers have an artistic license to exaggerate; they’re not bound by breed standards or veterinary evidence. However, I don’t like seeing live-action movies with cats drinking milk.

Milk and Hollywood Cats

Most cats are lactose intolerant, but characters who find or rescue cats usually give them milk even in today’s shows and films. I understand that it is a staple in most homes, and unprepared, new owners are unlikely to have cat food. Because of the fat and protein, cats generally like drinking milk until they get stomach aches or diarrhea.

Since most cats don’t get seriously ill from milk, it’s better for them to drink it in films than eat a loaf of garlic bread or a bowl of raisins. Olga isn’t interested in dairy products and would ignore a bowl of milk if she escaped and was rescued by a thoughtful neighbor. She can be affectionate and playful but also displays the stereotypical behavior of “evil cats” in the movies.

Olga’s Similarity to Church

If she were resurrected like Church in Pet Sematary, Olga would probably toss a dead mouse into my bathtub. Even though Church, played by seven cats, was a British Shorthair, he’s one of the few movie cats that slightly resembles Olga. When he hisses in the film, he reminds me of her. Olga only hisses at me when I return from a trip, and I feel honored that I’m the only one who has seen her scary side.

She likes hiding in the dark, surprising me with quick attacks, and hovering over me when I sleep late, just like the fictional felines in films. She makes the stereotypes seem more plausible but is more manipulative and violent than my Siamese cat. Although Olga would be an excellent horror film cat, she wouldn’t enjoy being around strange people or shooting a movie away from home.

Films and television shows have portrayed cats as evil, insane, playful, indifferent, and ignorant, which isn’t a problem, but I’m surprised by how many people believe what they see on a screen.

The post How Movies and Television Portray Cats: Stereotypes & Olga’s Nature by Christopher Bays appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Hi, I’m Christopher! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my silly Russian Blue cat, Olga.

Felines aren’t usually admired for their grasp of human language, and compared to dogs and primates, they’re not very responsive to our commands and pleas. Some blame this on their independent nature or ambivalence; others think cats don’t listen to humans unless they feed them.

Cats are intelligent and can sense our emotions, but they’re not eager to please, and they don’t mind ignoring us when we call their names. My cat responds to some words, including her name, and she’s familiar with my body language. She’ll never learn 2,000 words like Koko, and although she’s less affectionate than my Siamese cat, she’s more responsive when I call her.

Olga’s Understanding of English

One of the first, and undoubtedly her favorite, words she learned was “hungry.” If she’s asleep, and I ask her if she’s hungry, she wakes up instantly, whines, and runs over to me. She’s rarely asleep when it’s dinner time, but the few times she was, I tried it and was surprised at how quickly she reacted.

She understands what “no” means, but most of the time, she doesn’t care about the meaning and continues tearing up the blinds, scratching the recliner, or shredding the toilet paper. She’ll move away briefly and give me an irritated look, but she doesn’t stop the destruction unless I approach her. I don’t usually scream at her when she’s misbehaving, and if I do, she doesn’t get very upset.

Unlike my previous cat, Olga doesn’t hold a grudge and isn’t frightened by loud voices. She seems to understand “good girl” since she wags her tail when I say it but doesn’t respond to “bad girl!” Since she’s slow to move her head when I close the back door, I have to say, “Move,” and she usually moves out of the way.

Disciplining With Lectures

That’s the extent of her language skills, and I don’t think most cat owners expect their pets to respond to many words or phrases. However, I know a few who think disciplining their pets by lecturing them for several minutes is worthwhile. It’s not, and I’ve only seen it work in the movies since cats and dogs respond better to words or short phrases than paragraphs and essays.

It’s entertaining to watch them explain to their cats that their behavior is inappropriate, they won’t get any treats if they keep acting up, and they’re disappointed in them. Lassie and other fictional heroes can understand compound sentences, and you may have seen a film or show where an injured or trapped character gives complex instructions to an animal. The dog or cat runs miles to find rescuers or someone to defuse a bomb.

Having a brilliant pet who understands everything you say may seem appealing, but I’m glad Olga only knows a few words. She wouldn’t be as happy if she listened to me talk to other people about her. She would know when I was leaving the country, taking her to the vet, or switching her wet food to a different brand.

The post Words Your Cat Understands: Olga’s Language Skills by Christopher Bays appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Hi, I’m Christopher! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my silly Russian Blue cat, Olga.

Until a few years ago, Olga wasn’t picky about her food; she ate wet food in the morning and dry food in the evening. She’s more food-motivated than my previous cat, and she used to scoot around with her front paws on the edge of the dinner table when I had a snack or meal. She still begs me for food but is no longer interested in human cuisine.

Olga the Kitten

When she was a kitten, I made the mistake of replicating my Siamese cat’s diet. His name was Robert Fripp, and he ate dry food every day and wet food only once a week. However, he didn’t have a routine and didn’t eat much in one sitting. Free-feeding him wasn’t a problem, and he was a slim cat for nearly 20 years.

I took Olga for a checkup when she was less than a year old, and my veterinarian said she was a little hefty for a young cat and needed to lose a few pounds. She said it’s much harder for indoor cats to lose weight and warned that it would take a few months before Olga slimmed down on the new diet. Her advice and portioning instructions were invaluable; soon, Olga was at her ideal weight.

Changing Her Diet

I tried several brands of cat food, along with a liquid medication my vet prescribed, when she had diarrhea and didn’t seem to like dry food anymore. I thought she was okay when she seemed to like a new brand, but after a few days, she vomited and ignored the food. I switched to a wet food-only diet, and she hasn’t had any gastrointestinal issues.

Taking her off dry food and brushing her more has also helped reduce or eliminate hairballs. I didn’t think she coughed up hairballs that often before, but after discussing her condition with my vet, I realized it was occurring more than it should. She’s much happier and healthier on wet food, but the diet has a few disadvantages.

Wet Food’s Disadvantages

Since it’s less filling than dry food, she has to eat three meals a day to be satisfied. She eats less each meal, but she’s still picky. She’ll walk away from the food she loved the day before, but after I encourage her to eat it by sliding her toward the bowl, she’ll eat all of it.

I’m not sure why she initially rejects some of her meals, but I buy six or seven wet food formulas and serve a different one at every meal to keep her interested. I’m glad her system is back to normal, and she likes the new routine. I work at home, and it’s not a problem to feed her more often, but it will be an issue when I leave town.

I have a few friends and family members who care for Olga when I’m away, but they haven’t taken care of her since her diet changed, and they won’t be able to feed her three times a day. Before my next vacation, I’ll need to find a trusting cat sitter with an open schedule and patience for a picky cat.

The post When Cats Eat a Wet Food-Only Diet: Olga’s Preferences by Christopher Bays appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Hi, I’m Christopher! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my silly Russian Blue cat, Olga.

Some companies allow employees to bring their dogs to work, but very few allow cats. Most remote workers, including my colleagues, enjoy having their felines around their home offices. Even though they leap on our keyboards, interrupt our video conferences, and attack inanimate objects, we’re lucky to spend the day with them.

Pros of Office Cats

Except for allergy sufferers, most office workers would benefit from their presence. Since cats can be unpredictable, they’ll make the workday more entertaining. Watching a cat disturb or attack everyone’s least favorite coworker will evoke laughter and improve morale.

It’s hard not to smile when you see a cat dive into the blinds or climb up a cubicle wall; you can’t have a bad day when cats run wild in the office. Sure, it might cause some to lose focus, but a few lost minutes are less detrimental to a business than a workforce of resentful, unhappy employees.

Before they can enter an office, the cats must be vaccinated, groomed, sterilized, and free of parasites, but their temperament shouldn’t disqualify them. Having a couple of aggressive or hyperactive cats can only make the office environment more intriguing.  Keeping the litter boxes clean and deciding who cleans may seem like a problem, but it’s simple to resolve.

The office manager or CEO can decide who cleans the litter boxes after they complete their employee evaluations. The worker with the lowest score can clean them every day and purchase more litter when needed. This will motivate them to work harder and eventually pass the litter scoop to another deserving caretaker.

Lastly, having cats in the office can be therapeutic. Before a big presentation, your nerves are shot, but all you need to do is grab one of the friendly cats and pet them. Their purring will relax you and give you the confidence to carry on.

Cons of Office Cats

I could write a lengthy article about the disadvantages of allowing cats in the office, but I’m biased since Olga keeps me optimistic when I’m working. However, I’ll mention the less common reasons. Some cats enjoy attacking computer mice, and the vast number of mice in any modern office could lead to multiple injuries and worker’s comp claims.

The dress code would also cause problems. Cat owners who insist on dressing their cats up for work would eventually become resentful of the best-dressed felines, which could lead to more conflicts and meetings with the HR director. Employees may also get irritated when video chatting with clients and repeatedly hearing, “What a pretty kitty you have. What kind of cat is that?”

I wouldn’t be employed for long if I brought Olga to the office. She sleeps a lot in the morning, but her hunger pains make her impatient in the afternoon. Her Tasmanian Devil-like behavior would not be amusing to everyone.

After knocking family pictures and coffee cups off the desks, sharpening her claws on employees’ legs, and defiling the break room, she would be exiled, and I would be terminated. Luckily, I work at home and can tolerate Olga’s mischief.

The post Office Cats: The Pros & Cons of Felines in the Workplace by Christopher Bays appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Hi, I’m Christopher! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my silly Russian Blue cat, Olga.

I didn’t have a boring life before adopting Olga, but she has entertained me for almost eight years. When studying cat behavior, we often connect their actions to instincts. Their aversion to water is attributed to their desert origins, and their fondness for playing with toys is related to their predatory instincts, but is their sense of humor instinctual?

Comedic Cats

I think most felines have a sense of humor, and it’s hard to argue that they don’t appreciate physical comedy. Olga doesn’t laugh or smile, but she gets a kick out of knocking my glasses off the shelf above my bed, especially if they land on my face. She attacks inanimate objects when she’s hungry and wants attention, but sometimes, she does it for entertainment.

The other day, she was sitting in my lap, half asleep, while I was working on the computer. She lazily stretched her left paw out and pushed a pen off my desk. Irritating me isn’t instinctual, but Olga is amused by it and enjoys laughing (internally) at my expense. She wouldn’t be the same cat without her sense of humor, and I probably wouldn’t enjoy living with her.

Slamming Doors

Erratic behavior isn’t unusual in cats, but until I adopted Olga, I didn’t think opening and slamming doors was a source of feline entertainment. She loves squeezing her body into the narrow gap between the door and wall, standing on her hind legs, and pushing the door closed with her front legs. She can grab the door handle and pull the door open, but she struggles sometimes.

She screams if she cannot open the door and increases the volume if I ignore her. When I open the door, she howls at me and runs away. Most cats don’t like trapping themselves in a room. After the first experience, they’re unlikely to repeat it, but Olga is a goofball. She’ll wait a few minutes before running into another room and slamming the door.

If I play a joke on her and lock the door, she’ll scratch the carpet by the door and whine. After I ignore her, she’ll start ramming the door. She’s a little cat but sounds like a bull or a battering ram. Although her cries sound urgent, and she looks upset when the door opens, she doesn’t relent and finds another door to attack. Her behavior isn’t instinctual, and she wouldn’t repeatedly slam the door if it didn’t amuse her.

Sources of Amusement

As young kittens, cats are entertained by their siblings and parents and eventually by their owners. If they live in a shelter, they lose their sense of humor unless they’re adopted. Feral cats probably aren’t as concerned about entertainment since they’re often in pain from injuries and disease, but at least those living in colonies can bask in their communal despair.

Cats like Olga are lucky they can experience joy and humor. We are the primary source of comedy for our cats, and without us, they would revert to being humorless predators.

The post Do Cats Have a Sense of Humor: Olga’s Comedic Ways by Christopher Bays appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Hi, I’m Christopher! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my silly Russian Blue cat, Olga.

Cats find creative ways to get our attention, but some of their techniques are more cunning than others. Although dogs are more famous for their begging skills than cats, Olga has developed a system that encourages me to feed her earlier than her usual dinnertime. It was unnecessary before I worked at home, and over the years, she’s modified her methods.

Most pet cats, even the affectionate ones, are somewhat manipulative. Their instincts influence their behavior, but their intelligence helps them discover new ways to irritate their owners. In the wild, they don’t need to beg or depend on humans for food or entertainment.

They may devise a plan to steal a rodent’s carcass from a littermate, but most felines, except those in feral colonies, are solitary hunters. Wild cats don’t need to be manipulative, but housecats have learned to prey on our emotions.

They haven’t been domesticated for as long as dogs, but the recently discovered grave of an 8-month-old cat buried next to their owner in Cyprus suggests cats have been annoying humans for nearly 10,000 years. Like her ancestors, Olga knows how to influence people and makes Dale Carnegie proud.

If she wants to sit on the windowsill, she starts by grinding her claws on the wood molding. Then, she stands on her hind legs and hits the blinds. If I don’t open the blinds and let her sit down, she escalates her attack by jamming a paw into the blind and slamming it back and forth into the wall. If I shout or tell her to stop, she backs off momentarily before resuming the mischief.

She knows I have a breaking point, and even if I chase her away from the window, she won’t relent until I pull the blinds up. Her begging routine is subtle at first, but as her hunger grows, she becomes more impatient and bolder. Her normal dinnertime is around 5 PM, but the subtle begging begins around 2:30. She wakes up from her 10th nap of the day, sits near the entrance to my office, and stares at me.

After an hour of ignoring her, she’ll move closer and sit on the windowsill since it’s to the left of my computer screen. I can see her glare in my peripheral vision when I’m typing, but I’ve learned to ignore her and avoid eye contact. She’ll grunt and stand up if I return her stare, and eventually, she’ll get tired of waiting and find other ways to grab my attention. She’ll run into the bathroom, jump in the bathtub, and howl.

I didn’t think cats were intelligent enough to understand the principles of acoustics, but Olga knows that her voice is amplified when she screams in the tub. Next, she jumps on the sink and knocks my toothpaste or contact lens case on the floor. I respect her for trying the gentle approach before resorting to violence, and while I don’t like to be manipulated by humans, I don’t mind when Olga is devious.

The post Are Cats Manipulative? Olga’s Manipulation Skills by Christopher Bays appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.