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Introduction: The 3 Levels of Cat Trust
Understanding cat behaviour is essential to building a relationship with your feline friend. Cats have many ways to communicate their moods and you should be aware of them. This article covers the three levels of trust in cats and how you can build a better relationship by understanding them.
The First Level of Cat Trust - The Actively Fearful Cat
In this section, we will be looking at the level of trust that cats display toward their humans.
A typical characteristic of a cat is its fearfulness in new environments. Cats are often not trusting of people they do not know - they may act passive or aggressive toward them. This can be seen in their behaviour when they encounter strangers and some cats may even run away or hide when strangers or unfamiliar animals come near them.
A fear response is a cat's natural reaction to any sudden or unfamiliar stimulus.
A fearful cat will display certain behaviours as listed below:
- Runs away from the situation or stimulus
- Hides in an obscure place, for example under the bed or in a closet
- Lowers their body and turns their head away from the perceived threat
- Yowls, screams, cries and makes other loud vocalizations.
When a cat is fearful, it might experience some or all of the following:
- Trembling and hiding
- Hissing and biting
- Flattening their ears back
- Turning its face away from the stimulus or person they are afraid of
- Yowling loudly and meowing
The Second Level of Cat Trust - The Indifferent Cat
There are many different types of cat behaviours and the average cat owner might not know the difference between a true sign of happiness, and just an indifferent reaction.
The fact that a cat shows no interest in its owners when they return from work is not always an indication that they have been neglected or ignored. It's an opportunity for the owner to consider what the average behaviour of their pet is like when it's home alone.
The following are some behaviours that are indicative that a cat is interested in its surroundings and its owners:
- The tail will be held high as it approaches its owner
- It will purr loudly
- It will head-butt its owner for attention
Cats are often seen as indifferent creatures.
The cat's indifference is reflected in its behaviour: it doesn't care about where you put it, what you give it to eat, or how long you leave it alone. The level of the indifference of a cat also depends on the breed. For example, Siamese cats are said to be more friendly and therefore less indifferent as compared to Manx cats.
The Indifferent Cat is standard in the wild but has not been so successful in captivity. The reason for this is partly because of the behaviour of the cat. It cannot be bothered by people and will walk away if it feels threatened, so it does not do well with captive caretakers either.
Indifferent cats are shy, wary, and distrustful of their surroundings. They are typically solitary animals that are seen as an ambush predator because they stalk their prey from a distance before committing an attack. Indifferent cats do not like to be touched or held; they become aggressive when handled by humans and would rather remain on their own than form attached relationships with other pets or people.
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The Third Level of Cat Trust - The Mildly Affectionate or Loving Cat
Cats are known for being independent, demanding and aloof. These traits have been observed and studied for centuries, as they are a defining characteristic of the feline species. However, as time has gone on and people have studied cats in more detail, we have come to realise that there is variation in temperament among our furry friends.
Understanding the different cat temperaments that exist can help with understanding how the animal will act in various situations such as introductions - it might be best to not introduce your new kitten to your mature cat if you are looking for harmony!
Cats are a popular pet choice. Many people want to own one but don't know how affectionate or loving they are. This section will explore how much trust cats give their owners and how to tell the difference between an affectionate cat and a loving cat.
An affectionate cat will spend time with its owner and will typically not hiss or scratch when approached by its human. They enjoy being pets and many of them will even come when called by name. A loving cat, on the other hand, is more likely to act as if they are in charge of the house, just like a dog would act in that role too.
Caring for a cat is not all about spoiling your feline friend with an abundance of food and pampering. The level of affection that you lavish on your pet can also show the type of relationship that you have with them.
To achieve this, factor in these various traits - the cat’s level of trust, their needs based on the breed or breed mix, and the environment and lifestyle that you lead.
Different breeds exhibit different behaviours which are usually reflective of their traits such as affectionate or loving. Caring for a cat is not just about spoiling your feline friend with an abundance of food and pampering. Affectionate Cat Behaviours.
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