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You are here: Home / Kitty Wisdom / 10 Handy Cat Tips for Humans

10 Handy Cat Tips for Humans

September 8, 2014 By: Summer Samba63 Comments

I've heard I have an intelligent face!

I’m just a kitten and I can’t even begin to be as wise as Sparkle was, but I think I can come up with ways to help humans be better servants to kitties! Today I’ve compiled a list of handy tips, most of which humans can use starting right now!

  1. The best way to serve a kitty her meals is on a plate. That gives her whiskers room to comfortably spread out, and ceramic or porcelain plates are less likely to cause acne than plastic bowls, or deep bowls.
  2. Does your cat keep losing his toys under the sofa? Get a fishnet from the aquarium section of the pet store — it will help you “fish” them out! (I got this one from my friend Sasha.)
  3. If you have a cabinet with cleaning supplies and other items that are potentially dangerous to cats, use a childproof lock to keep out your kitties. We are smart and can undo twist-ties, and we can also chew through twine and rubber bands (in fact, rubber bands can be dangerous if we swallow them, so never use them, period). But only use the child proof locks for that. Cats should be allowed in all the other cabinets.
  4. The best way to put a cat into a carrier is to place her in backwards. If you try to put her in face-first, she can reach out and grab at the opening and make it really difficult for the both of you. Also, your cat will feed off of your energy, so if you are nervous, she will respond in kind. If you can be calm and matter-of-fact, it makes it less stressful for everyone.
  5. If you have a non-plastic carrier, make accidents easier to clean up like this: cut up an old shower curtain to a size that’s a couple inches or so larger than the bottom of the carrier. Place it on the bottom of the carrier so that the extra material goes up the sides, and then put a plush towel over it. That way if the cat is sick in the carrier or goes to the bathroom, it keeps the mess from sinking into the carrier itself.
  6. If one cat is mad at another cat who came home from the vet, put some baby powder on a towel and rub it on both their rear ends. That way they will smell alike and it should help end the hissing. (I found this one on Facebook from a smart human that my human knows.)
  7. Let your cat tell you when he wants to be petted. Reach out with your arm and hand relaxed, fingers lightly extended. Let him sniff your fingers, and if he rubs against them, it is okay to proceed. This is a good way to approach cats you don’t know well too. If you are unsure of the cat, it’s best to lay your hand on a flat surface, palm up, to make your approach as passive and unthreatening as possible. If a cat is really shy, you can hold a pen for them to sniff, or the part of your glasses that go over your ears (like Jackson Galaxy does in My Cat From Hell). Remember: cats always prefer to be the ones in control when it comes to physical contact.
  8. Don’t bother meowing to us kitties. You can just talk in your regular human language. Meowing isn’t actually a language with words. We do understand a few human words, like “food,” “treats,” and our name, but mostly we pay attention to your tone of voice and body language, and that’s what you should pay attention to if you want to better communicate with your cat.
  9. If you play really active games with your cat and then feed him right before bedtime, there’s a better chance he will sleep through the night and not have the nighttime crazies.
  10. Marinate cat toys in a tub of catnip so they always stay fresh. I hear many of you are already familiar with this one… but how many of you are actually doing it?
10 Handy Cat Tips for Humans10 Handy Cat Tips for Humans10 Handy Cat Tips for Humans
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Comments

  1. Samantha says

    September 8, 2014 at 9:28 pm

    Thanks for the wonderful tips Summer!! They were very helpful!
    Your TX Furiend,
    Samantha

    PS: Thanks for coming to my Birthday/Gotcha Day Party!

    Reply
  2. Pipo &Minko ~ WeBeesSiameezers says

    September 8, 2014 at 8:32 pm

    Hmmm, Meowmy says she never thought about ‘marinating’ kitty toys! She’ll have to get at it, MOL!

    We know all about those post vet hissy fits…sigh. We usually get a towel rubbed on the other kitty placed on the opposite kitty and so on. it seems to help shorten the hissing. Or take em both! MOL!

    The funniest was when dog-guy came back all groggy, and both of us were purr-turbed at him…we *knew* where he had been…

    Thanks for all the good advice, Summer!

    Reply
  3. Derby and Ducky says

    September 8, 2014 at 8:14 pm

    Mum has a PTU with a top door. For Ducky she picks him up and then puts him in upside down!

    Reply
  4. Jo-Anne says

    September 8, 2014 at 8:03 pm

    Yes great tips

    Reply
  5. meowmeowmans says

    September 8, 2014 at 7:31 pm

    Great tips, Summer! You’re showing a preponderance of knowledge for such a young kitty. 🙂

    Reply
  6. Penelope says

    September 8, 2014 at 7:15 pm

    My mom was glad to see #7! She has been doing that since she was a kid and peoples always thought she was crazy!
    Yous is one smart kitten!!!
    Kisses
    Nellie

    Reply
  7. Marty the Manx says

    September 8, 2014 at 6:58 pm

    Great tips Summer! Mom says there are quite a few she hasn’t heard before, especially the baby powder one. Mom is good about “refreshing” our toys in catnip thank cod! Hope you have a wonderful week!
    Marty

    Reply
  8. Cathy Keisha says

    September 8, 2014 at 6:40 pm

    You’re wise beyond your year—or 6 months. TW does 9 and I do sleep through the night. Isn’t that cool? Is baby powder good for a cat if they lick it? If it’s talc, it isn’t even good for a human. All the other tips are spot on!

    Reply
  9. Raven says

    September 8, 2014 at 6:31 pm

    Great tips Summer. You are a kitten prodigy with all that knowledge.

    Reply
  10. Shaggy & Scout says

    September 8, 2014 at 6:30 pm

    Summer, you are a smart kitty and a great writer! Good tips!

    Reply
  11. Katnip Lounge says

    September 8, 2014 at 5:28 pm

    Mommy keeps our toys well-marinated, Summer! And we like how you recommend peeps to leave all the cupboards open ‘cept the dangerous ones…we love exploring in ours! Mommy hears bumping and thumping and it never fails to stump her. MOL!

    Reply
  12. The Florida Furkids says

    September 8, 2014 at 4:59 pm

    Excellent tips Summer!

    The Florida Furkids

    Reply
  13. Sometimes Cats Herd You says

    September 8, 2014 at 4:04 pm

    Paws up for the great tips! We only get certain toys marinated in catnip. Speaking of, we haven’t gotten a fresh one in a while. It must be time for a new round of catnip toys!

    Reply
  14. The Island Cats says

    September 8, 2014 at 3:03 pm

    Summer, for a little cat you sure are smart. The mom has been marinating some of our toys in nip, but she hasn’t given them to us. What is she waiting for?

    Reply
  15. LP says

    September 8, 2014 at 2:58 pm

    Summer, you are just so adorable to look at we had to really concentrate to take in all your clever tips! They were all very good. We think you will be a “quick study” and that you will be as wise as an owl in no time at all! 🙂

    the critters in the cottage xo

    Reply
  16. layla says

    September 8, 2014 at 2:31 pm

    We’ve not heard of using baby powder. I’d be inclined to use something without chemicals and sprinkle on base of the tail and not the anal area. It’s easier just to scent swap with a clean sock.

    Reply
  17. Pawesome Cats says

    September 8, 2014 at 1:48 pm

    Great tips Summer, you are wise beyond your years!

    Reply
  18. Austin towers says

    September 8, 2014 at 1:24 pm

    You’ve learned a lot very quickly, Summer!! There was some stuff there that might human needed to hear!!

    Reply
  19. BeadedTail says

    September 8, 2014 at 1:15 pm

    You are a smart and observant little kitten Summer! We need our toys marinated!

    Reply
  20. The Swiss Cats says

    September 8, 2014 at 12:32 pm

    Pawsome tips ! #6 can be very useful here after my spay on Wednesday ! Purrs

    Reply
  21. Flynn says

    September 8, 2014 at 11:28 am

    Those are great tips Summer.
    #6 really does work. Several years ago when Eric had to go to the vet I was horrible to him for 2 weeks. The Meezers mom told my mum about it so she did that every time after and it stopped me being nasty to Eric.
    #10 My mum marinates my favourite toys in nip for a week then gives them to me at weekends and puts different ones marinating for the following weekend.

    Reply
  22. Kitty Cat Chronicles says

    September 8, 2014 at 11:02 am

    Great advice, Summer!! We get fed three meals a day, our last meal being right before Mom and Dad go to bed – they say that’s because we will wake them up in the middle of the night for food. They are right!!! Though we do that sometimes anyway… 😉

    Reply
  23. Colehaus Cats says

    September 8, 2014 at 10:40 am

    Mmmm, marinated nip toys *drools* Oh yes, Summer, you are very wise! Purrs…

    Reply
  24. Famous SpokesGoat Pricilla says

    September 8, 2014 at 10:29 am

    There is a lot of cat wisdom in that tiny little body

    Reply
  25. Angel AbbyGrace says

    September 8, 2014 at 10:12 am

    Summer you are one very wise little kitten!

    Reply
  26. jmuhj says

    September 8, 2014 at 9:47 am

    Those are wonderful tips, Summer — who knew about the baby powder? I’m definitely going to try that next time to avoid a hissyfit!

    Reply
  27. Emma and Buster says

    September 8, 2014 at 9:31 am

    great tips. mom is especially fascinated by the last tip; we have toys that Buster left in the box (yes he picks up after himself) and are there collecting dust. we’ll try soaking it in nip and see if the kitties would play with them again.

    Reply
  28. mariodacat says

    September 8, 2014 at 9:28 am

    Summer, you are not only a cute kitten, you are pretty smart too. Thanks for all those tips. You did good!!!

    Reply
  29. Alice Marie says

    September 8, 2014 at 9:21 am

    Those ARE some great ideas…I’m going to have Mum study that list.

    Reply
  30. speedyrabbit says

    September 8, 2014 at 8:56 am

    those are some great tips Summer,xx Speedy

    Reply
  31. Brian Frum says

    September 8, 2014 at 8:17 am

    We love those tips Summer and you really are a wise little one!

    Reply
  32. Jenna says

    September 8, 2014 at 8:05 am

    Great ideas for our humans!

    My human doesn’t marinate my catnip toys. She’s such a slacker…

    Reply
  33. Kitties Blue says

    September 8, 2014 at 7:48 am

    Summer, these are all excellent pieces of advice, and several that our mom hadn’t heard before. Thank you so much for this list! XO, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo

    Reply
  34. Random felines says

    September 8, 2014 at 7:16 am

    those are great tips (mom likes the one about the protection for the carrier)…

    Reply
  35. Ellen Pilch says

    September 8, 2014 at 7:16 am

    Summer you are wise beyond your years, I mean months. Those are great tips, I never thought of room for whiskers when eating and the baby powder is a good idea too.

    Reply
  36. Caren Gittleman says

    September 8, 2014 at 7:11 am

    Summer, you are becoming wise quite fast!! The only thing I would add, is on #4….if you have TOP and FRONT loading carrier, it is better to put the kitty in from the top….feet first…………we have a great carrier that isn’t round or a strange shape, it is traditional, but it opens from the top and the front. Putting Cody in feet first is a breeze! Have a great day!

    Reply
  37. Melissa & Truffles says

    September 8, 2014 at 6:05 am

    Wonderful tips, Summer! You are so smart already!!!

    Reply
  38. dma says

    September 8, 2014 at 6:02 am

    excellent information. you are sure learning fast…

    Reply
  39. Laila and Minchie says

    September 8, 2014 at 5:54 am

    Oh, Summer, for such a young one, you are so knowledgeable! Great tips for the humans!

    Reply
  40. Fuzzy Tales says

    September 8, 2014 at 5:40 am

    Those are terrific tips, Summer. Our human says she’ll remember #6, though it’s rare that one of us gets hissy after the other comes back from the vet. It did happen once, though, after Nicki’s second dental. Derry was uncharacteristically hissy for a good day and a half.

    Wonder if this would do well, too, when bringing in a new adoptee.

    Reply
  41. Charles Huss says

    September 8, 2014 at 5:15 am

    Thanks for the great ideas Summer. Some of them I did not know.

    Reply
  42. Grace says

    September 8, 2014 at 5:14 am

    I’ve been trying to teach my husband about body language for years – he’s finally getting it and experiencing a lot fewer scratches and bites!

    Reply
  43. Marg says

    September 8, 2014 at 4:46 am

    That is such a cute picture of you Summer. And those are some mighty good tips. We do respond to body language and tone of voice. Happy Monday to all of you.

    Reply
  44. madi and mom says

    September 8, 2014 at 3:57 am

    BRAVO BRAVO SUMMER 10 GREAT TIPS. MOM KEEPS A ZIP LOCK BAG FULL OF CATNIP…SHE ROTATES MY NIP TOYS IN AND OUT OF IT.
    HUGS MADI YOUR BFFF

    Reply
  45. HaHnnah and Lucy says

    September 8, 2014 at 3:16 am

    What great tips to keep Mum on her toes – thank you Summer.
    Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx

    Reply
  46. Bev Green says

    September 8, 2014 at 3:14 am

    Great ideas Summer…and kittens can still have lots of good ideas to share..after all cats are very smart …no matter what age 🙂 hugs and loves Fozziemum xx

    Reply
  47. Robin says

    September 8, 2014 at 2:19 am

    Great tips Summer! Cinco and Manna really like the one about keeping the toys in catnip. I do dunk all of their toys in catnip frequently, but I don’t really keep them in a bin of it. Thanks for the idea!

    Reply
  48. The Kitties of Purring Pines says

    September 8, 2014 at 1:50 am

    Those are great tips, Summer! Thank you!

    Reply
  49. Toby & Leia says

    September 8, 2014 at 1:16 am

    All great tips. Plus, that is such a sweet pic of you, lil Summer.

    Reply
  50. Georgia and Julie says

    September 8, 2014 at 1:14 am

    Those are all wonderful tips Summer 🙂
    Mom is pretty lazy about marinating out toys.
    Guess we need to remind her.

    Purrs Georgia and Julie,
    Treasure and JJ

    Reply
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