To be honest, I am not sure why I am even bothering to write about any lessons humans can learn from cats. When a creature loses all sense of instinct and then tries to replace lost inner knowledge with foolish things like MBAs, books about relationships and so-called value systems that more often than not conflict with someone else’s so-called value system, it kind of makes a kitty lose hope. Even so, I do think there are a small handful of humans who are willing to take note of feline wisdom and maybe even apply it to their own lives. And for those three or four people (I am being optimistic here), I am presenting five lessons we cats have that may actually surprise you!
1. It is fun to jump and fly through the air! Most humans lose this type of exuberance early in life, so it is no wonder they develop so many illnesses later on. And then their health gets so bad that they could not jump around if they even wanted to. So if you have not gotten to the point of no return, I suggest you start leaping around and feel the rush of your blood flowing and adrenalin pumping. There is a reason that cardio exercise is good for your heart health, because the heart is where you feel joy.
2. Stalking is a good thing! Okay, maybe not stalking someone you love who does not love you back, but just about anything else goes. If you keep focused, keep your eye on the prize, and are patient and persistent, you can catch that feather wand toy or anything else you may have as a goal. In fact, it is about the only way anybody accomplishes anything, no matter their species.
3. Talking is not necessary for communication. We cats meow at humans a lot because it seems to be the easiest way to communicate with you, but we really think it is an awkward, inarticulate way to make a point. If you watch two or more kitties spend time together, you’ll notice that they rarely meow (unless they are wrassling and one is being too tough with the other). Instead, we cats communicate through subtle visual cues that have a lot more meaning than mere speech. A brush of the tail or cheek, a flick of an ear, slow blinking — each of these actions contains a whole story. If humans would shut up sometimes and really watch what other humans are saying instead of depending so much on words, they would communicate with each other a lot better. Often, I notice that words get in the way of communication rather than making it easier.
4. Disagreements are not forever. If you live with more than one cat, you might notice they get into occasional arguments. There may even be bad meows spoken, and some hissing and whapping. But you can pretty much guarantee that a little while later, they will be hanging out together, sharing a sun puddle or curled up together on the sofa. When we kitties are pals, we don’t hold grudges. Of course we don’t always see eye-to-eye (no kitty or human ever does), but when we get in an argument, we get it over with and forget about it. The only time animosity between kitty pals may linger, it’s an indication that something else is going on (such as redirected aggression) — and that is something humans should explore in their own relationships too.
5. Always cover your you-know-what! We cats are known for our fastidious litter box habits. We like a clean litter box, and we like to cover up what we leave there. Humans should do the same and cover up their messes. It is only good manners. And yes, there are cats that don’t cover — they are usually the ones who think they are top cat. Have you ever noticed that there are boss humans out there who do the same thing? They let all their bad behavior hang out and create messes for everyone else. Nobody wants to work for someone like that, so follow your kitty’s lead and don’t be that guy.
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Wonderful advice, Sparkle. Humans really adopt cats because they are in dire need of good role models. Now we just need to make them remember that.
Sparkle, that is some well thought out advice that all of us as humans should take to heart. You are a very knowledgeable kitty who should be taken seriously when you do speak. Our mom wants badly to go zip lining and sky diving to fulfill her need for point #1. If it happens, we’ll let you know. Purrs and hugs, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Josette
Awwwwww so lovelyyy such lovely words of wisdom. I shall definitely start jumping around more often and possibly stalk my boyfriend …I am sure I’ll feel a lot more liberated. I congratulate your human for raising such a wise kitty.
Thanks dear Sparkle, I’m always learning with my cat friends.Amazing article!
Luna
Yesss ! we can learn a lot from cats !
Our mom has that deer-in-the-headlights look, so you know it went right over her head! And we’d love to see her communicate by flicking her ears. MOL Nice try, Sparkle, but she just isn’t to that point in her development yet.
I like lesson #1 the best Sparkle..cause it’s the mostest fun..Yippee!!!
I do most of these five things already. I have to say that I only do number 1 in my dreams though.
Oh, I like these lessons! I especially like the communication one–I think we talk waaaayyyyy too much. Well, maybe it is just me that does that. Oops. Okay, okay, I got the message.
I think you need to add:
Always make time for a nap.
When you make a mistake (especially a big jump and miss)—act like you did it on purpose.
Don’t waste your time eating food you don’t like. DEMAND better tasting food.
PAWsome rules for humans !
I wish my human will learn them all 😉
We agree with everything you said.
It just makes sense.
Humans ,on the other paw are crosses we have to bear :/
We keep working on them. Maybe one day they will be like us 🙂
Maybe! heehee
Purrs Tillie and Georgia,
Treasure,Tiger,JJ and Julie
Those are 5 valuable lessons!
My goodness, Sparkle! There’s a book just in number 5!!
Those are solid suggestions and maybe should win some sort of award. If only humans could be more like us. I think the only thing they ever picked up from a cat is how to be territorial and they use it for pure evil.
Humans have much to learn from our cats if they’d stop, look and listen 🙂
Those are wise werds indeed Sparkle!
Fabulous advice Sparkle! We love to fly through the air and jump off walls which is a lot funner than sitting in from of a computer all day like most humans do. What boring lives they lead sometimes.
Very wise post Sparkle. Bandit, selleck, and Their person Emily. 💡
Love you Sparkle!
You are so darn smart Sparkle!
Those are some terrific suggestions Sparkle. We need to start working on our Person. We have written down those lessons. Have a great day.
eggs cell ant post sparkle…with grate add vise…..letz hope de peepulz iz smart enuff ta take it !!
Those are some great lessons. Thank you Sparkle.
Wise you are and I hope the humans get there one day!
Sparkle, you are so incredibly observant… I bow to your wisdom
(but it’s hard to jump and type at the same time…)
Harry, Dexter and Tipp’s Mom… (and yes, I know I left you a BIG opening MOL!)
Great lessons to be learned by all. You are so wise. 😛
that is some GREAT advice! Mom says SORRY but she is a talker……helps to keep her blood pressure low MOL!! And…if Mom were to jump and down in the manner that you suggested, California would have their long-awaited earthquake that would measure a 10.
Magnificent post, Sparkle! Äiti – read and learn!
I’ll have my human print these so she can read them everyday!
Purrs
Sparkle you’re not only beautiful, you are very wise. You’re spot on with your “five things”……I imagine it was difficult whittling down your list to just five though – we cats know we have SO much we could teach humans…..but would they listen??
Kitty Hugs, Sammy 🙂
and with that Mom began stalking something sparkly on ebay….
Sparkle, you are so right. We hope every human reads this today.
Surely this excellent advice will be of benefit to a few hoomins. TY, Miss S.
Those are five fantastic things that all humans should learn. We’ll be sure to show our human a.s.a.p
Great lessons, Sparkle! I especially love lesson #4. It’s so great kitties don’t hold grudges. We humans should learn that and forget negative feelings. Life is happier with no grudges in stomach 🙂
The humans should always use us as role models Sparkle.
Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx
Brilliant post, Sparkle. Would that more humans realized that they, too, are animals and part of the natural order, not somehow removed from it or above it. Maybe they wouldn’t need your lessons if they did!
These are all good lessons humans should learn from us. You really nailed this post, Sparkle! I must say that my mom does communicate with me visually. We will sit and blink at each other. She loves when we blink back at her showing her love too.
Thanks Sparkle. The bottom line is that hoomans could learn a lot about life & how to live by paying more attention to us!!!