“What’s Wrong With Your Cat?”: 95 Times People Shared Funny Pictures Of Their Kitties Glitching (New Pics)

Bored Panda reached out to Sally Chamberlain, who's a clinical animal behaviorist and cat expert, to dig into our feline friends' behavior and our relationship with them. Sally provides tips on cat training, preventing issues, and educates people about cat behavior. Keep reading to learn more about our furry friends!

When it comes to cats, have you ever wondered if different breeds have their own special behaviors? In other words, do Siamese cats act differently from Persians? We asked Sally Chamberlain to share her thoughts on whether specific cat breeds show unique behaviors. The clinical animal behaviorist said that she believes some pedigree cats exhibit distinct behavioral characteristics. However, every cat within a breed can still have its own personality and might not always act exactly like others of its breed. “The temperament and quirks of each cat will vary. For example, Ragdoll cats are renowned for being ‘floppy’, docile, placid, and affectionate, yet I know a Ragdoll who is quite lively, playful and only likes to be affectionate on his terms. Bengal cats, a cross between an Asian Leopard Cat and a domestic tabby cat, are known for being bold, confident, and demanding, yet a Bengal I know is generally quite reserved and nervous but enjoys affection and playtime with his humans.

Overall, pedigree cats tend to be bred for their looks and temperament but this can sadly lead to them having health problems due to a small gene pool. For example, flat-faced Persian cats can have breathing difficulties and eye problems, Scottish Folds may have ear trouble and bald Sphynx cats can have skin problems.”

Building a strong bond with your cat begins with effective communication. Many cat owners wonder how they can best connect with their feline friends to deepen their understanding and strengthen their relationship. According to Chamberlain, cats need to feel a sense of choice and control in order to feel happy and secure. “If a human would like to interact with a cat, the best way to go about this is to obtain their consent by crouching down to the cat’s side with a hand held out in a loose fist slightly away from the cat. This then gives them the choice as to whether or not to approach. If the cat approaches and nudges or sniffs your hand, gently move to stroke them on the head, but only do this for a few seconds. If they would like more contact, they’ll probably nudge you for more. If not, they’ll walk away and carry on with their feline business. Cats tend to only like being touched around their head and neck area but they are all different and, depending on how well you know the cat, they might enjoy lots of petting.”

Slowly blinking at a cat can also be helpful because it's a friendly way cats communicate with each other. A great way to engage with a cat is also by playing with a wand toy instead of using your hands directly. “Cats are natural hunters of small prey animals, so a wiggly worm, furry mouse, or feather on the end of a string should be irresistible for them. Cats have come to understand that humans can’t resist some of the cute sounds they make but when we vocally communicate with a cat, we should use a gentle voice and subtle tones because they don’t tend to like loud people or lots of noise. Training your cat can also be a great way to bond. This article has some good advice on how to communicate with cats,” Chamberlain told us.