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Welcome to Friday’s Cats.com Newsletter. |
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As people, we like to assign human emotions to our pets in an effort to connect with or understand them better. When your cat suddenly becomes standoffish or exhibits other changes in behavior, you may wonder if it’s because they’re mad at you. |
Keep reading to learn why this kind of assumption is flawed (and what a change in behavior might actually mean). |
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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT OF THE WEEK |
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Should you find yourself in the position of having to apologize to your cat — maybe you were a few minutes late for breakfast or pulled a little too hard on a tangle during grooming — nothing says “I’m sorry” like a special meal, and Smalls has just the thing. |
Recently relaunched, Smalls pulled-texture fresh cat food is perfect for picky eaters and meat lovers alike. Memory of your mistake will be banished from your cat’s mind when they take their first bite of succulent shredded poultry. Try Pulled Bird for that classic chicken flavor or mix it up with Pulled Other Bird, made with 80% turkey and turkey liver. |
Now available in small 4.5-ounce packets, you can adjust an existing Smalls subscription to receive pulled recipes or order a sampler pack to try Smalls as a new customer. |
Enter "CATS35" to get 35% off your first order. |
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Awesome Finds On Cats.com: |
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VIDEO OF THE WEEK |
7 Signs Your Cat is Crying Out for Help. |
When a cat isn’t feeling well, behavioral changes are sometimes the only outward sign. In this week’s featured video, Sarah Wooten, DVM, explains the necessity of paying attention to your cat’s body language and behavior. Check it out to discover 7 signs your cat might be crying out for help. |
Check out the video on our YouTube channel. |
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Do Cats Hold Grudges? |
Our cats are more intelligent than we sometimes give them credit for, but it’s still important to remember that their brains don’t always work like ours. Cats have both short- and long-term memory capability and, like humans, their memory is influenced by emotions and experiences. |
If someone hurts you, you might retain the memory of their actions and hold a grudge. Your cat is capable of retaining memories of negative experiences as well, though perhaps not in quite the same way. |
Strong emotions like fear or happiness can become associated with certain people, places, or experiences in your cat’s mind. Repetition reinforces the association and the memory of the emotion linked to it. |
In other words, a cat is unlikely to hold a grudge against a person who accidentally steps on their tail once — as long as they have an otherwise positive relationship with them. However, if multiple incidents occur — like frequent punishment for unwanted behavior or rough handling — memories of fear or pain may become linked to that person in the cat’s mind. |
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Here’s What a Change in Behavior Means. |
If your cat is suddenly no longer interested in playtime or runs away from you when you approach, you might feel like it’s because they’re mad at you. In reality, however, sudden or unexplained changes in behavior should be viewed as a cry for help. |
When your cat is feeling stressed, sick, or in pain, their behavior may change in a way that makes them feel safer or more secure. It may not be a conscious choice on your cat’s part but, as their caretaker, you should take it as a sign that something might be wrong. |
Your first step should be to assess the environment and the circumstances. Is there an obvious explanation for your cat’s behavior? Next, look for additional symptoms. Finally, bring all this information to your veterinarian to figure out what your cat is struggling with and how to help. |
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A Sneak Peek At Sunday's Newsletter. |
By now you understand why you shouldn’t ignore changes in your cat’s behavior, especially when you know something is bothering them. In Sunday’s mailer, we’ll take it a step further and talk about how to show empathy for your cat — specifically by apologizing to them when the situation calls for it. |
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| Meet The Author. | Kate is a pet food nutrition specialist and writer who has been part of the Cats.com family for over three years. She is the doting owner of three cats - Bagel, Munchkin, and Biscuit - and often shares stories about them in weekly mailers like this one! |
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Check your inbox every Tuesday, Friday & Sunday for another round of exciting cat news! |
Have questions about your cat’s health, diet, behavior, and more? Visit our Cats.com community. Our team of expert moderators is available to give you answers and advice specific to your cat’s unique situation. |