If you want to study the way of Zen or Daoism, get a cat.  You can learn a lot about living in harmony with the rest of the universe from observing feline behavior.  I’ve lived with cats more or less for thirty years.  Although I know a lot about feline behavior, a lot of it can’t be articulated with words.  You just pick it up by osmosis from the cat.  You will know what you know about feline behavior – but you won’t necessarily know WHY you know it.

They’re Nocturnal

One of the big things to keep in mind about feline behavior is that these are nocturnal creatures.  That means they sleep, on average, eighteen hours a day.  Don’t expect to go jogging on the beach with a cat.  Do expect to have the cat listen attentively about your misadventures stepping on a horseshoe crab after you jogged on the beach.  If they are going to get into mischief, they tend to do it when they think you’re asleep.

They’re Hunters

The domestic cat is responsible for the extinction of at least seven bird species.  This is partially due to their incredible hunting skills.  The will hunt even when not hungry, so they can store the food for future lean times.  They also will bring dying prey to your feet because they are trying to help feed you.  This is what the feline behavior books all say.  Personally, I think it’s because cats like to watch you hit the ceiling.

This is one reason why cats need to be kept indoors, because of the havoc they can wreak on the native wildlife.  Also, killing someone’s pet rabbit is not going to endear you to the neighbors.  A cat will hunt when given the opportunity.  They can’t help it.  Don’t give them the opportunity.  Keep them indoors with lots of toys and a window to look out of.

They’re Carnivorous

One aspect about feline behavior can’t be changed or they will die – they have to eat meat in order to survive.  Although dogs can become vegetarians and thrive, cats can’t.  Don’t expect your cat to become a vegetarian.  And they really shouldn’t eat a lot of non-meat items, although rice is great for them, as well as a minor serving of veggies.  But unless a cat has an adequate amount of protein, they can die.  However, if they don’ want to eat for a few days, that’s okay.  That’s normal feline behavior.

Where did this penchant for putting the word “whisperer” to denote a really good animal trainer come from?  A couple of hundred years ago in England, Gypsies were noted for their abilities to train horses.  One of the reasons they did is because they spoke so softly.  Some even made a show of whispering into the horse’s ear.  These Gypsies were known as “horse whisperers”.

Then in 1995, Nicholas Evans’ best selling novel came out entitled “The Horse Whisperer.”  Suddenly, talking in whispers was hot.  Now there are two “Dog Whipserers” (depending on which side of the Atlantic you live), a “Rabbit Whisperer” (I kid you not) and various people billing themselves as a “cat whisperer”.

Do You Love Your Cat?

If you truly love your cat, you won’t have any need of a cat whisperer because the cat will already have you well trained.  Just by taking the time to daily interact and observe your cat’s normal ways of doing things will you be able to tell how your cat is feeling and sometimes what mischief they are contemplating.  You still need to take your cat to the vet, though.  No cat whisperer should ever skimp on vet care.

Cats are not like dogs in that they have a need to please.  They see no reason to do the things that dogs do.  (”You want the ball?  You get the stinking ball yourself.”)  Life with a cat is basically a series of compromises.  When you love a cat and become really good friends with the cat, then these compromises really aren’t so bad.

Never Stop Learning

You can absorb a lot of information on cat behavior of the problems that certain breeds are prone to merely by reading some cat care books from the library.  There hasn’t been a lot of changes in the theory of cat care in the last thirty years, so pretty much any book you pick up will have some valuable information to it.

As your own cat whisperer, you will know your cat’s mood just with body language.  A fat tail means a mad cat.  A skinny tail curling like a question mark means a happy cat.  There’s not that much in between.  Cats shed not because they hate your furniture, but because they can’t help it.  Learn to live with it.

When you notice a big or sudden change in eating, eliminating, walking or sleeping behavior, than you know it’s time to go to the vet.  As a cat whisperer, you will know your cat will be cranky when they are sick, so don’t take any injuries personally.