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?
See all of Summer’s merch at her Designercat Shop, available on Zazzle.
Springsteen II and Gus are both VERY helpful when making the bed!
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 🙂
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.
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
Our mom is pretty good, but a refresher course couldn’t hurt! Lexy’s fave is number 4 and mine is number 9!
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
Spot on Summer, only add to one, never move or awaken a sleeping cat even if it means you have to pee
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…
Our humans are doing pretty well here, except for #6. Purrs
I violate several of these so apparently I’m a bad human/cat servant
Nutmeg DOES push the bed making issue. They always disagree and she gets tossed out but she puts up a good fight!
Purrz!
Selins
Restify sistah!! Every cat staff should read this.
TESTIFY not restify. Hiss!
These are great, and true, Summer! Gracie and Ava both love having their bellies rubbed, though. 🙂
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
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.
Mommy does pretty well! She says you’re to die for in those glasses! –Mudpie
Those are some good rules for newbies – us veterans have already been trained on them by our cats – MOL!
Wow we all should do a better job now that we know the rules.
Very true, Summer!
I like being petted on the tummy when I roll over on my back, though. Only by my Mum 🙂
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!
You look so professional!! (and cute) Hoomin follows most of these.
Bodacious
I love your Emily Post face!
My parents have lots of kitty etiquette! But sometimes they do make fun of my sleeping locations.
Cute pink glasses, Summer!
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!
We do pretty well at our house Summer. Dad has had years of training MOL
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.)
Most humans probably could do with a little improvement sweet Summer!
Great list. We’re going to show this to Mom!!!
The Florida Furkids
Those are great rules, Summer, except for #5. I actually love to have my belly rubbed! ~Ernie
I do too – but I hear that some cats don’t! Binga used to turn into an attack machine more often than not.
Well this is totally “RIGHT ON” Summer! Leave it to you to know the rules.
Hugs, Teddy
Pretty spot on, Summer! Bear and Ellie Mae agree!
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
Good list Summer.
Epic post – loving every rule!
You look as if you do not approve! Or, a naughty librarian!