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You are here: Home / Kitty Wisdom / 9 Kitty Etiquette Rules

9 Kitty Etiquette Rules

September 10, 2019 By: Summer Samba43 Comments

Summer lists 9 kitty etiquette rules that humans may not be aware of.

Humans have so many meaningless etiquette rules — I mean, who cares what fork to use anyhow — but then, we kitties have rules too! Only our rules are logical and totally make sense. Here’s a quick list of the most pertinent kitty etiquette rules, the ones humans are most likely to break. So make sure to pass this list along to the humans in your house, with a reminder that politeness counts!

1. Anything left on the counter is clearly meant for the cat and is being offered freely.

2. Once a cat has taken possession of a sitting surface such as a sofa or chair, it is bad form to disturb her for any reason other than a meal or snack.

3. Once a schedule has been set for mealtimes, it is extremely rude to change it.

4. If a cat requests to be petted, the human must comply, and may only stop when the cat agrees she is done.

5. When a cat rolls on her back, she is expecting praise and admiration from the human. Touching the tummy is generally not expected, and often not wanted.

6. It is rude to eat in front of a cat without offering her some of the food.

7. It is very rude to dispose of an item that does not belong to you, so you should never dispose of an item a cat has claimed as hers. This specifically includes cat trees with lots of claw marks, or chewed up or drooled on cat toys. These are all signals the items are the cat’s treasured possessions.

8. The cat is the best judge of her own sleeping surfaces, and it is impolite to question or make fun of her choices.

9. Cats must be allowed to help make the bed, and their offer should never be turned down.

So, how did your humans do? Are they kitty etiquette masters, or should they attend a remedial feline charm school?

9 Kitty Etiquette Rules9 Kitty Etiquette Rules
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Comments

  1. LESLEY CASTLE says

    August 21, 2021 at 11:52 pm

    Noted! 😉

    Reply
  2. LESLEY CASTLE says

    February 26, 2021 at 2:41 am

    Jotting these down as we speak!

    Reply
  3. Catherine Lingg says

    August 19, 2020 at 9:04 pm

    I see, I hear and I obey, Summer. I am clearly here to serve them. In turn, they allow me to live here

    Reply
  4. Lesley Castle says

    March 8, 2020 at 4:52 am

    That’s a lot of rules!

    Reply
  5. Catherine lin89gg says

    March 7, 2020 at 11:17 am

    Summer, I bow to the rules of feline etiquette. I rarely break the rules. I have two girls who remind me daily

    Reply
  6. Xenabobb says

    November 14, 2019 at 9:56 am

    Springsteen II and Gus are both VERY helpful when making the bed!

    Reply
  7. Ellen Pilch says

    September 12, 2019 at 6:35 am

    Those glasses are perfect for you. I can follow all except #5, I can not resist a tummy even if it means I get bunny kicked 🙂

    Reply
  8. Valentine says

    September 11, 2019 at 5:34 pm

    That’s a smart list, Summer Sweets. I am still trying to train Dad on item #3. I am finding him to be most stubborn about getting up to feed me in the early hours of the morning. I think I’ll have to resort to sitting on his head. Tee hee hee. Winks.

    Reply
  9. Sherri-Ellen T-D. says

    September 11, 2019 at 4:26 pm

    Pawtastick list Summer!! LadyMew changess sheetss an makess bed when mee iss out inn Condo…not sure if shee need ree-trainin….
    Mee has a hab-bit of sleepin UNDER LadyMew’ss sirivcal pillow an shee has nevurr laffed at mee once. Shee lookss sorta purrplexed when shee can not find mee…..butt shee nevurr laffss!!
    An shee all wayss givess mee a mew toy bee-fore takin a furry ucky used old toy. Mee has her purrty well trained mee thinkss!
    ***purrsss*** BellaDharma

    Reply
  10. Lola the rescued cat says

    September 11, 2019 at 8:36 am

    Our mom is pretty good, but a refresher course couldn’t hurt! Lexy’s fave is number 4 and mine is number 9!

    Reply
  11. Purrjamm says

    September 11, 2019 at 7:39 am

    Mom keeps trying to explain #2 to catdad. Mr. Chivers always helps himself to dad’s chair when he gets up. Well, that’s the way it’s supposed to be! Right? Mom’s pretty down with Kitty Etiquette Rules. Dad still has some to learn. Great post Summer. Love it and your picture too! Purrs

    Reply
  12. Catherine A Lingg says

    September 11, 2019 at 1:15 am

    Spot on Summer, only add to one, never move or awaken a sleeping cat even if it means you have to pee

    Reply
  13. Meezer'sMews&TerrieristicalWoofs says

    September 11, 2019 at 12:00 am

    I think that my peeps ignore those rules a lot! MOL! They need to relearn them:)

    Sorry we have been so absent and behind in visiting…

    Reply
  14. The Swiss Cats says

    September 10, 2019 at 9:46 pm

    Our humans are doing pretty well here, except for #6. Purrs

    Reply
  15. Kendra says

    September 10, 2019 at 8:34 pm

    I violate several of these so apparently I’m a bad human/cat servant

    Reply
  16. SELINA says

    September 10, 2019 at 7:31 pm

    Nutmeg DOES push the bed making issue. They always disagree and she gets tossed out but she puts up a good fight!

    Purrz!
    Selins

    Reply
  17. Cathy Keisha says

    September 10, 2019 at 7:25 pm

    Restify sistah!! Every cat staff should read this.

    Reply
    • Cathy Keisha says

      September 10, 2019 at 7:25 pm

      TESTIFY not restify. Hiss!

      Reply
  18. meowmeowmans says

    September 10, 2019 at 7:11 pm

    These are great, and true, Summer! Gracie and Ava both love having their bellies rubbed, though. 🙂

    Reply
  19. Fraidy Cats! says

    September 10, 2019 at 7:03 pm

    Professor Summer is in! We weren’t sure what to expect with theses rules but we were shouting YES as we read through them all. this deserves posting on our ‘fridge 🙂

    minnie, hollie, sharpie, ditto, TKTL

    Reply
  20. Memories of Eric and Flynn says

    September 10, 2019 at 3:52 pm

    I think the boys would have said I made the grade on most of those. Not #1 though. Neither of them ever tried to take anything from the counter.

    Reply
  21. Melissa & Mudpie says

    September 10, 2019 at 3:08 pm

    Mommy does pretty well! She says you’re to die for in those glasses! –Mudpie

    Reply
  22. Catscue Catmom says

    September 10, 2019 at 2:25 pm

    Those are some good rules for newbies – us veterans have already been trained on them by our cats – MOL!

    Reply
  23. Kay griffith says

    September 10, 2019 at 12:58 pm

    Wow we all should do a better job now that we know the rules.

    Reply
  24. Athena says

    September 10, 2019 at 11:16 am

    Very true, Summer!

    I like being petted on the tummy when I roll over on my back, though. Only by my Mum 🙂

    Reply
  25. CRAIG S. C. OKAJIMA says

    September 10, 2019 at 11:11 am

    When my Sydney wants to be fed at 3 or 4 in the morning, guess who she comes to wake up?

    Believe me, I’ve tried “hiding under the covers” before. Let’s just say, that my neck paid a price!

    Reply
  26. Sandi Stefani says

    September 10, 2019 at 10:18 am

    You look so professional!! (and cute) Hoomin follows most of these.

    Bodacious

    Reply
  27. Grace says

    September 10, 2019 at 9:56 am

    I love your Emily Post face!

    Reply
  28. Raven says

    September 10, 2019 at 9:32 am

    My parents have lots of kitty etiquette! But sometimes they do make fun of my sleeping locations.

    Reply
  29. Eastside Cats says

    September 10, 2019 at 7:48 am

    Cute pink glasses, Summer!

    Reply
  30. Eastside Cats says

    September 10, 2019 at 7:46 am

    Oh Summer, do you have new pink-rimmed glasses? SO CUTE, with your wee pink Peter Pan collar! Just so you know, when we brought Chuck and Angel home, The Hubby and I agreed that everything in the house was theirs too, so if we prized something and didn’t want it knocked over or clawed, it was our responsibility to put it away. Think about it; our cats live in the house for more time than the humans do!

    Reply
  31. Timmy Tomcat says

    September 10, 2019 at 7:43 am

    We do pretty well at our house Summer. Dad has had years of training MOL

    Reply
  32. Pat K says

    September 10, 2019 at 7:01 am

    I can’t agree with your cat rules of etiquette….but I do like them.
    And, number 5…I thought rolling on your back was most definitely
    an invitation to rub the belly! There you go – people can’t know the
    rules if they aren’t explained! Thank you. (You look quite a bit like
    one of my old grade school teachers from many years ago in your
    glasses and disapproving stare. She had that same look.)

    Reply
  33. Brian Frum says

    September 10, 2019 at 6:31 am

    Most humans probably could do with a little improvement sweet Summer!

    Reply
  34. The Florida Furkids says

    September 10, 2019 at 5:27 am

    Great list. We’re going to show this to Mom!!!

    The Florida Furkids

    Reply
  35. The Island Cats says

    September 10, 2019 at 5:10 am

    Those are great rules, Summer, except for #5. I actually love to have my belly rubbed! ~Ernie

    Reply
    • Summer Samba says

      September 10, 2019 at 10:22 am

      I do too – but I hear that some cats don’t! Binga used to turn into an attack machine more often than not.

      Reply
  36. Teddy says

    September 10, 2019 at 5:02 am

    Well this is totally “RIGHT ON” Summer! Leave it to you to know the rules.

    Hugs, Teddy

    Reply
  37. mommakatandherbearcat says

    September 10, 2019 at 2:42 am

    Pretty spot on, Summer! Bear and Ellie Mae agree!

    Reply
  38. Fur Everywhere says

    September 10, 2019 at 2:39 am

    The Mom lady does a decent job, but she doesn’t let me steal things from the counter. What’s up with that?

    Purrs,
    Tylan

    Reply
  39. The kitties of purring pines says

    September 10, 2019 at 2:34 am

    Good list Summer.

    Reply
  40. The DasH Kitten crew says

    September 10, 2019 at 1:04 am

    Epic post – loving every rule!

    Reply
  41. Lesley Castle says

    September 10, 2019 at 12:20 am

    You look as if you do not approve! Or, a naughty librarian!

    Reply

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