Offending a cat: signs and superstitions, consequences, how to avoid what was predicted

Dream Interpretation - Cat as a symbol

According to Indian myths, a cat is an animal that belongs to the great goddess, the guardian of all newborns. This goddess is usually depicted riding a cat, which is why in India she is revered as a sacred animal. According to the beliefs of the ancient Germans, a person who loves cats will be happy in marriage, while one who has an aversion to cats will marry a grumpy and angry woman. In any case, he will not have children. In all fairy tales, myths and legends, cats accompany witches, goddesses and fairies. The cat represents femininity, softness and charm. However, later (in the Middle Ages) this animal began to be considered a companion of witches, so cats were persecuted. In dreams, a cat symbolizes feminine attractiveness, magnetism and sensuality. In Indian mythology and fairy tales of different peoples of the world, the forest is the habitat of the creator god. However, there is another interpretation. In Vaishnavism and Krishnaism, the world is a “forest of eternal joys,” a place of mystical experience. Symbols have a similar interpretation in dreams. Look in any dream book - the forest has many meanings, but we are interested in a different interpretation. There are many dangers in the forest, but those who go through it to the end can experience sensual joys, love and desire.

What to do if the cat is offended

You should not approach your cat immediately after you have offended it. Let the cat calm down and feel safe. One hour is enough for this. The pet must see that they are no longer yelling at him, much less trying to hurt him. Therefore, do not rush, but do not delay the apology for too long, otherwise the cat will harbor a grudge.

It is important to remember that there are several places in which petting is most pleasant for cats. Try petting a cat:

behind the ear;
under the jaw;
along the back at the base of the tail;
on the head;
across the chest.

An aggressive or frightened pet should not be petted or picked up; it is better to leave him a treat. If the cat comes up to you to take a treat, you can try to pet him. But this should be done only after the animal has eaten.

You should not give your pet food from your table as a treat; it is better to use special cat treats for this purpose.

If you constantly communicate with your pet, then you can apologize to him not only with actions, but also with words. A friendly and apologetic tone will definitely calm the cat and allow you to make peace faster. During the process, try not to make sudden movements.

In some situations, you can make amends to an animal by playing with it. If your pet is active, then he may well forget about the discomfort caused to him during the game. Use your favorite mouse, ball, or buy a new toy for this occasion.

Animals after castration, sterilization and other operations need constant care. Offering your pet a treat once is unlikely to change the situation much. So you'll have to be patient

Pay attention to the cat, caress him, and he will definitely reciprocate your feelings

If you decide to have a purring miracle in your house, then remember that this is not a toy, but a living creature with its own character and needs. Don’t forget that any nasty things your pet does most often have a reason.

Don't yell at your pet, pay attention to him, and then your cat will be affectionate and flexible

Is it possible to hit a cat for educational purposes?

An animal that has committed some bad act does not always understand what it has done. Most often, cats play or look for a comfortable place. For example, if a pet climbs onto new furniture, then it seems comfortable to him. In such cases, the cat cannot be punished. It is advisable to buy her a special soft bed or lay a blanket on the sofa so that it remains in its original form longer.

The same can be said about broken dishes, souvenirs, vases - this is a game for a pet. He sees how the fragments fly in different directions, and this arouses interest. Breaking and breaking household items is common for small kittens.

The animal tears wallpaper, furniture and carpets with its claws - a sign that it urgently needs a scratching post. If it is not there, then there is no point in scolding the cat - the owner is to blame. And if there is, then it either does not suit the pet, or he does not understand its purpose. In such cases, it is necessary to show the kitten the place where the claw sharpener is located.

Be sure to encourage the animal if it does everything correctly - pet it, scratch it behind the ear, treat it with delicious food.

We invite you to read: Why cats trample us and crumple the blanket with their paws

In order for the pet to understand and assimilate the rules that its owners force it to follow, it is necessary to correctly approach the punishment for cat misconduct:

Under no circumstances should you play or pet a kitten immediately after being scolded. The animal will not understand what the owner wants to say with this gesture. If you behave this way, your pet will become afraid and avoid people.
There is no point in punishing an animal if the offense was committed a long time ago. That is, a person who noticed a plate broken by a kitten only a week after the incident should not scold his pet. The animal has long forgotten about this incident, so the punishment will be perceived as something undeserved, and the owner will become an enemy.
You can't hit cats too hard. Any physical impact will cause physical or psychological harm to the pet. Also, do not spank the kitten on the head, neck and back - there are nerve endings in this area, and a blow will cause severe pain. If your pet does not understand facial expressions, gestures and intonation, then you can lightly tap its face with your finger - this way the cat will understand that it has done something forbidden, and the owner will not cause it pain or injury.
There is no need to scold your cat if he tore up the furniture in the place where the claw sharpener used to be. He performs the action intuitively. In this case, you need to return the scratching post to its original place or try to show the animal a new place. Punishment in this case is senseless and cruel.

It is important to remember that a kitten is capable of doing something accidentally or unconsciously. There is no need to try to harm or hurt the animal. The cat must be punished in such a way that it understands both its action and the person’s attitude towards this offense. Otherwise, the pet will be afraid and distrustful of the owner for a very long time.

How to recognize resentment?

It is important to learn in time to determine whether a cat is angry with you or not, since every loving owner tries to immediately establish communication with his pet. Just as cats use body language and other vocalizations to show that they are comfortable with you, they do the same to show that they are angry or irritated.

Animal signals that indicate a cat is upset:

You may see attempts to move away or flick its tail, or the cat may use its paw to hit you.
The cat may turn away from you in the opposite direction and completely ignore your presence for several hours.
The animal's tail moves back and forth quickly and nervously.
Hair may rise up on an angry cat's tail.
If your kitten's ears droop or lie flat against his head, it may mean he's not in the mood.
Obvious anger which is expressed in hissing and readiness to scratch you.

Fortunately, even in such situations you can earn a cat's forgiveness.

Don't take your eyes off

People perceive prolonged eye contact as a sign of openness, trust and acceptance. It’s not for nothing that there are expressions “to look - you won’t see enough”, “you can’t take your eyes off” and the opposite - “if only my eyes wouldn’t look at you.” For cats, the opposite is true.

They perceive prolonged eye contact as aggression, and therefore, when we look into their eyes for too long, they begin to feel anxious. Of course, it is very difficult for us to deprive ourselves of the pleasure of admiring our pets, and therefore we can use a trick.

When you look at the cat, close your eyes and then open them again. Such slow “blinks” for cats are like a declaration of love. They themselves do the same thing when they want to “tell” you about their feelings.

Signs and superstitions about why you should not offend cats

According to popular belief, offending an animal, especially killing it, always promises trouble:

accidentally kick - soon there will be a family quarrel;
a child poured water on him - he will die before reaching maturity;
accidentally (especially on purpose) to kill - to one’s own death;
accidentally step on a paw (tail) - to losses, poverty;
hitting a cat - according to signs, a person will never be happy in family life (which is logical, since systematic abuse of an animal shows the cruelty of nature, which few people like in a life partner);
driving out into the cold, rain or starving - to poverty, misfortune, disease.

At the same time, injections, operations, unpleasant medical procedures or euthanasia in the case of a critical condition due to incurable diseases are not considered by popular belief either as an insult or as a murder. Probably the reason is that, despite the pain, these procedures are beneficial for the animal, and that cats began to be treated not so long ago.

Twitching the tail also means trouble, but painful methods of treating cats with omens are not taken into account, since they bring benefit to the animal

Angry cat - get ready for a family quarrel

It is believed that if a person likes to needlessly offend a cat, there will never be peace and quiet in his family. Quarrels will constantly occur in this house for no apparent reason. The more anger the cat experiences, the noisier and longer the quarrel between family members will be. Also, in addition to family quarrels, the owner may begin to be haunted by illnesses and serious troubles.

Constant quarrels can lead to the destruction of a family

Why is it so dangerous to hurt cats?

Since ancient times, beliefs have come down to us about the connection of cats with the supernatural, so furry animals are capable of instilling inexplicable fear. You cannot offend them - according to ancient superstitions, the offender thereby invites trouble upon himself. Everyone decides for themselves whether to believe superstitions, but it certainly doesn’t hurt to find out what they are connected with.

Greeters after death

In fairy tales of different nations and legends, the cat is the first to meet people after death in the afterlife. There she was given the power to dispose of the soul freed from the body. And since everyone knows the vindictiveness of a petty domestic predator, she will instantly remember all the grievances she had during her lifetime in order to get even for them.

She decides the further fate of the soul. If the cat is unable to remember anything bad or humiliating to its owner, it will give up its claws so that the soul can climb to heaven, overcoming a steep mountain. Other signs associated with death:

If a furry pet begins to sniff the air exhaled by a person, coming close to his nose, this portends a fatal illness.
When a pet likes to constantly sleep at the head of a person, she will definitely “stay” with the owner of the bed. That is, the person must die soon.
A cat lying on the table is not good, but a sign of a dead person in the house.

At the same time, she places death in beliefs associated with the looking glass. Mirrors are covered when someone dies in the house. Otherwise, if you don’t close it, then the first person who looks into the mirror glass will also be taken away by death. But this will not happen if you bring the cat to the mirror first.

An offended cat - to family discord

Cats are credited with the ability to influence even the weather in the house. It has been noticed that relationships between spouses and other family members deteriorate if someone offends a pet. The more significant the insult inflicted on the cat, the stronger the family scandals will flare up. Until complete rupture.

Photo: https://foto.vseprosto.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/I-am-like-2.jpg

The well-being of the home will also be at risk. It is not for nothing that the Chinese consider these animals to be the guardians of family wealth. And she takes offense at any disrespectful treatment. It is enough to slap the offending animal, poke it with its nose or grab it by the scruff of the neck. The cat in no way connects all this with punishment for its misdeeds.

She is offended by the evil owner who beats her. Therefore, it is better to raise pets without assault. And generally behave politely, so as not to inadvertently offend the tailed avenger.

Terrible punishment for murder

No living being deserves violent death. But killing a pet will cost its destroyer seven years of misfortune in addition to remorse

And it doesn’t matter at all in this case whether the crime was intentional or purely accidental. You will have to pay for killing with adversity in matters of financial, love, and other areas of life.

This will even extend to the killer's family.

Perhaps this superstition has a connection with the belief that the cat acts as a guardian of the hearth from evil forces and small rodents. Killing her means depriving the house of protection from mice and the penetration of otherworldly pests from a parallel world. There is another interpretation of this belief. In it, the cat's destroyer becomes a ruthless killer of people in the future.

Hypnotic glow in the dark look

There are also a lot of warnings associated with cat eyes. They have long been considered windows to the other world. Therefore, you cannot look into the animal’s eyes too closely and for too long. A mystical creature with a tail is unlikely to like this, and the cat’s hypnotizing gaze itself can cause damage.

Should I believe it? The question remains open. But it is also a known fact that street cats always look into people’s eyes, they look straight into them, begging for food.

Damn boys

This superstition seems the strangest. Although it is known that they do not like water and are capable of being seriously offended if you douse them. But the belief says that a young man who does this to an animal will not live to adulthood. Perhaps this is due to the superstition of the British, who claimed that pouring water on a cat shortens human life by half.

Tales of different nations

Photo: https://img-s1.onedio.com/id-53d10bf71e31f89512ed3a9a/rev-0/raw/s-dfc562ca0dcce4285d286da5378197bd4e8edebe.jpg

All of the superstitions listed do not have sufficient justification and scientific evidence. You only have to believe that the animal will definitely respond in kind to kindness and affection from a person.

Offending a cat: how dangerous is it?

The question of whether a cat is capable of harboring a grudge and remembering the negative moments of its life is almost rhetorical. Most likely, every owner of this wayward furry pet has in one way or another encountered the idea that the cat does certain things out of spite and often after insults inflicted on it. It should be noted that the revenge of such a flexible and fast animal is sometimes not at all harmless, and therefore it is quite stupid not to take into account the character, habits and desires of the cat. It can not only scratch your leg or arm a little, but also cause much more serious wounds. There are known cases when a person had to hide literally behind a closed door, fearing the revenge of an angry animal, which at that moment looked no safer than an impressively sized dog. Every owner of an affectionate and cute cat needs to remember such moments. Not, of course, to be afraid of his unexpected reaction to this or that event, but mainly for the correct upbringing and treatment of the cat. The basis for establishing contact with a furry pet lies in the ability to outwit a fairly smart animal, teach it certain rules for living in the house without using open physical force. Under no circumstances should the situation be escalated to such an extent that the animal experiences severe pain caused directly by a person’s hand. Not a single cat will ever forget about this, and at a certain hour, resentment and fear will certainly make themselves felt - either in the manifestation of open aggression or in committing actions unpleasant for its offender. To be more precise, the discomfort and pain experienced by a cat should in no case be associated with a person, but only with circumstances. It is interesting that a naughty cat is unlikely to associate a slipper released for a certain offense with the one who threw it, although she will notice who did it. The only offender will be the slipper - she will become afraid of it and avoid it. By the way, the negative energy that it can conceal within itself will be directed at the slipper: hidden cameras installed in the house in the absence of the owners have more than once captured footage when an outwardly calm and always docile cat began to bite, scratch and torment the ill-fated cat in all other ways available to her. slippers The conclusion from all of the above is quite easy to draw - you can always find a punishment for a cat in such a way as not to lose its trust and love, and therefore to be calm under any circumstances.

How can you offend a cat?

There are several reasons why a cat may be offended:

Corporal punishment

Emotional owners can hit their pet in a fit of anger, thereby causing him pain. Experts say that physical violence is an ineffective way of punishment. In addition, it can cause emotional trauma to the animal and leave resentment in the memory for a long time.

Loud curse words

Cats react very sharply to loud sounds - they can get scared and be depressed for a long time. You should watch your tone when communicating with an animal and avoid verbal abuse as a method of punishment.

Lack of attention

Cats are also lovers of attention and affection. Prolonged ignoring and distancing from a furry friend can affect his mood and ruin his character.

When you come home from work, pay attention to the cat

It is important for him to feel your touch and care

Feeling of humiliation from being pulled by the scruff of the neck

It's no secret that mothers drag little kittens by the scruff of the neck. She also uses this method to raise her children. Adults may perceive such a gesture from a person with offense, taking it as an insult addressed to them. Take this fact into account when raising an animal.

Encroachment on a cat's personal space

Among the felines there are those who do not like to be in the arms of their owner for a long time, but prefer independence. Such cats do not like guests and hide under the bed when they see strangers, they can bite and scratch

Therefore, it is important to protect your pet from contact with strangers in order to avoid unpleasant and exciting moments.

Long loneliness

Long loneliness can become a reason for serious resentment of your beloved cat. Separation from the owner can turn into a real test. When going on a long trip, leave your pet in safe and gentle hands.

How can an owner offend a cat?

Author Olga Butsilova

10/22/2018 16:00 (Updated: 11/04/2018 01:16)

Zoosphere » Interesting

Every second resident of the house necessarily has some kind of pet and, often, in the heat of anger, rage, on business or not, the pet got it from its beloved owner. Let's find out what can offend a pet like a cat, and what the animal can feel at the moment of offense.

As it turns out, cats are very vulnerable and, depending on the breed, can be very vindictive animals. Inattention to oneself or indifference can greatly upset this pet. And, what is most interesting, the animal will not show its resentment in any way, unless you “accidentally” discover a puddle in a shoe, an eaten flower, or torn things. Moreover, these actions are unlikely to bring satisfaction, and the cat will expect punishment or anger from you for the actions it has committed. And even more so, she will not feel guilty, since it has been scientifically proven that this is the only feeling that this animal does not have at all.

If you do decide to punish this cute creature, you will have to do it with caution so as not to cause serious psychological trauma to the animal.

Let's figure out what actions of yours can offend your pet and what this can lead to:

- indifference. Like a person, a cat will begin to feel unnecessary and may make unforgivable mistakes as a result;

- loud screams. The result of such human behavior can be severe fear, from which it is quite problematic to remove the animal.

- blows, kicks, beatings.

- forcing an animal to do something against its will. And as a result, scratched legs, arms and other parts of the body.

Many adult cats cannot stand being dragged by the scruff of the neck, although it would seem that they should have been accustomed to such treatment since childhood. They can only allow a child to treat themselves this way, and then only a loved one and an acquaintance. And not harm him, well, except perhaps for a couple of damaged toys as moral compensation. Therefore, when you come to visit, try to keep your baby away from an unfamiliar animal, otherwise an angry cat can easily scratch the child.

And what hurts your cat the most is, of course, your departure, when you leave your pet alone in a closed house for a long time. And no matter how much food and water you leave, and no matter how your neighbors, friends or acquaintances look after it, you will be ready to see your apartment in a destroyed state when you arrive home. The cat is very upset by your absence, an unreasonable fear of loneliness, anger and negative feelings appear. It is the fear of being left alone that explains the animal’s inappropriate behavior: damaged shoes, things or furniture. It is out of melancholy that the cat looks for a place or thing that has the strongest human odor and marks it.

Everyone has always tried to hurt cats - out of boredom, from innate cruelty, from traditions that were accepted in a particular society, or simply from boredom. Very often, such human behavior caused incredible suffering in the animal. But it is worth noting that cat abusers have never gone unpunished and some terrible things have happened to them. It is not for nothing that there are a huge number of superstitions and beliefs regarding these beautiful animals.

Of course, not everyone believes this, but an offended cat, like a person, experiences a huge storm of negative emotions, which to one degree or another remain in the form of negative energy that can affect you or your environment.

Therefore, never, you hear, never offend this cute pet, just like any other. And then peace, tranquility and harmony will reign in your life.

Good luck to you and your pets!

Photo: https://www.megacurioso.com.br

Gently pet your cat in her favorite places

If your cat still seems angry or upset, leave her alone and wait until she becomes calmer. Stroke the animal behind the ear, in the area between the eyes. Use your fingertip and slowly smooth out the fine hairs there. Pet your cat on the chin and neck. Now she may even forgive you and start rubbing herself against your hand.

Pet your cat at the base of her tail. Stroke your cat's head, back and chest. Keep in mind that not all cats enjoy being caressed in these areas, so choose proven areas for a relaxing massage.

Isn't he in pain?

Recently, in one well-known community among mothers, I came across a mother’s story about how her “five-year-old son killed a crow”:

“I am in complete prostration and shock, it seems that everything is wrong and incorrect. My son tortured and killed a crow yesterday. Not by accident, but on purpose,” she writes. - I go out and see: standing in the sandbox and holding a crow with a leaking eye. There is a stick nearby. I, barely able to form words from horror, ask: “What happened?” - “I’m fighting a crow.” - “Did you hit her with a stick?” - “Yes, he beat me and pulled out the feathers...” The power of speech returns to me, and I begin to say a lot: that this is a terrible act, how could he, she’s alive... And he looks with uncomprehending blue eyes. In the evening I talk to him as if he were a leper, not on purpose, I just can’t do it any other way.”

Mom asks for advice on how to behave correctly? The child is completely at home, he doesn’t even go to kindergarten yet. He loves cartoons, sometimes fights with grass with a stick and fights with trees. And then this... But this is a story with a happy ending. The crow was found the next day in the same sandbox. She was alive and almost unharmed. Mom and son fed her bread, and the boy “asked her forgiveness three times for offending her.”

My five-year-old Vanya also sometimes chases birds with a stick. Until now, they have successfully scattered in different directions. What if one day it hits. And, to be honest, I don’t know what he will do next...

I scold my sons for squashing ants and spiders. I tell them stories that insects are also alive, that they are in pain, and that somewhere little children are waiting for them. Younger Kirill, at 2.5 years old, still takes my word for it and shows miracles of mercy. But the elder Vanya is more aggressive. Lately he has been tempted to hit or crush someone. And he seems to understand that this is not good, asks for forgiveness and promises for the hundred and first time not to do this. But either childish curiosity, or the instinct of a brave and strong hunter takes over, and mom has to explain for the hundred and first time: “Vanya, you can’t offend the little ones.”

That post about the crow and the five-year-old boy attracted several hundred comments. My parents sympathized with my mother and advised me not to panic ahead of time, remembering my turbulent childhood.

And who in their childhood did not catch butterflies and test the strength of their wings, and what happened to the cats: they tied everything to their tails and stuck them everywhere. Every second person recalls stories about how he sent a chicken or guinea pig to swim; it is clear that for the latter this experience ended sadly. Moreover, the realization of what happened comes later for most people, they become ashamed, sad and even scared. Not the most pleasant feelings, but maybe you need to go through this in order to grow into a real person.

Until this happens, I will explain to my children for the hundredth time that a snail is not a stone, and there is no need to throw them over the fence. And there is no need to crush the ants who are rushing home to their anthill. To which the children reasonably object that the grandmother in the garden “waters the ants with poison so that they all die.” Why can some insects be killed and others not? - asks the child. And parents have to show miracles of resourcefulness and erudition in order to get out of this dead end of double standards.

Expert opinion

Olga Makhovskaya, candidate of psychological sciences, author of the book “How to talk calmly with a child about life, so that he will then let you live in peace”:

— When a child begins to study how bugs work, butterflies are a normal way of understanding the world. Bugs are not like other animals, they have more legs and a strange head. All this causes surprise and a natural desire to take a closer look. How to react to this? Children under 6-7 years old are characterized by anthropomorphism. They tend to spice things up. The sun is alive for them, it goes to bed and gets up with the child. Therefore, if a moving insect, which makes a child want to catch, break and crush, is made the hero of a fairy tale and “revitalized,” then in the child’s eyes it will acquire human characteristics. He will have bug experiences. The bug also has grandparents or small children are waiting for him at home and he is in a hurry to get to their house from work, so you don’t need to catch him, it’s better to watch how quickly he runs on his 8 legs. This is how sensitivity develops in children. By the way, our literature is a good helper in this: “The Tsokotukha Fly” or the poems of Agnia Barto, one of which directly rhymes the words beetle and life. Our negative and disgusting attitude towards the same insects seems to allow children to pursue these small creatures. Therefore, parents need to be consistent.

It’s another matter when aggression is directed at birds, dogs, cats. Such actions must be stopped immediately. This is where the right of parental prohibition without explanation comes into play. Just like you shouldn't stick your fingers into a socket. There is no need to rely on long explanations; the child does not have much rationality. He has great difficulty establishing cause-and-effect relationships. Therefore, it is better to instill the correct forms of behavior from the very beginning. And the punishment for the fact that a child “broke” a beetle must be adequate. But it is better to immediately take the child’s hand away, explain that a living creature is in pain, and add that you should not offend those who are smaller and weaker than you.

It is also worth explaining that a living being is not a toy that can be repaired. And if a bird's wing is damaged, it will no longer be able to fly. Specific illustrative examples are better understood.

Torment should always evoke feelings of guilt, shame and be remembered as an experience that should never be repeated. Otherwise, some kind of internal licentiousness appears. This leads to children hitting each other in kindergarten. Then parents get involved too. They, alas, are often more upset if the child did not fight back than if he beat someone up. This is probably how they hope to better prepare him for adult life. However, if the atmosphere of hostility and aggression around is not taboo, it will block all other emotions: love, happiness. Strong negativity kills all other feelings. And I would also advise parents to take an honest and objective look at family relationships. Often, children’s aggressiveness is associated with their parents - their screaming, swearing, maybe overly strict and cruel punishments matter...

By the way

Why does a child hurt animals?

He is driven by the curiosity of the researcher. Such motives are most often found in young children (up to 4-5 years old). “Games” with animals are reminiscent of experimentation: can a turtle turn over on its stomach, will a cat land successfully if thrown to the ceiling?
He is under peer pressure. This situation is common among older children (from 6-7 years old), when you need to earn respect in a group of comrades by completing their difficult tasks (similar to a rite of passage, a test).
To escape from your own worries and grievances. And sometimes children are just bored.
The child imitates adults, playing out his grievances. In such situations, the game repeats cases of violence against a child (a child can beat an animal, put it out the door, tie it up, lock it in a closet, etc.).
He is driven by fear. The child’s experience includes a traumatic situation (for example, he was severely scratched by a cat), so now the baby will “take revenge” on the animal.

If a child offends animals, he needs:

the sense of security created by parents, especially the mother;
emotional contact with mother and trust;
the ability to listen without interrupting his speech;
adequate praise for good deeds;
a calm atmosphere when he finishes his work without parental haste.

Can cats get offended?

Offense is a completely natural feeling in cats, but, unlike people, animals do not get offended for no reason.

Veterinarians believe that cats are not capable of feeling guilty, so furry cats can be offended even because of a well-deserved punishment.

At the same time, purebred pets often have a more complex character than their mongrel and non-purebred counterparts. Some of the most capricious are:

Siamese;
Maine Coons;
British Shorthair;
chausie;
Abyssinian;
Mekong Bobtails;
Bengali.

Representatives of the listed cat breeds often have a difficult character, they can be touchy and vindictive. Therefore, if you do not have time to raise an animal, choose a more good-natured pet. In addition, the age of the cat plays an important role. The older the pet, the more often it will show its own character; kittens are offended much less often and only because of serious mistakes of the owner.

Is it possible to hit a cat for educational purposes?

The word “beat” hides both a blow with a slipper and execution with hands and feet. It’s stupid to beat a cat and hope for proper upbringing and a trusting relationship.

The animal perceives a person as a super cat with a high rank. If you severely punish a kitten, the pet will begin to be afraid and hide from its owner. A sexually mature adult cat will regard attacks not as an educational process, but as a challenge to check rank. This is not revenge when a cat pours urine on your slippers - this is the restoration of social status and justice.

It is better not to lead to a serious conflict. If you want to punish a cat, don't hit it. For educational purposes, try using more loyal methods:

slap with newspaper;
spray it in the face with a spray bottle;
isolate for 20 minutes (no more!).

The cause of hyperactive behavior, even in a well-mannered cat, can be:

damage to the nervous system;
diseases of the endocrine system;
stress factor;
dangerous diseases (rabies).

If your appetite, sleep, or behavior have changed, do not rush to raise your cat; first visit a veterinarian.

Can cats get offended?

Cats are very gentle and vulnerable animals. Lack of attention and some of your actions can be taken as an insult and seriously offended by you. But you won’t know about it right away. Most likely, the next day you will simply find a puddle in your slippers or a tattered sofa, because the cat’s easy resentment is one of the serious reasons not to get a cat. And in the future, the cat will treat you with caution and expect aggressive behavior from you. So, let's figure out whether cats can be offended.

If a cat has done something wrong and you want to punish it, do it extremely carefully so as not to cause psychological trauma to the animal. You need to punish only once and immediately after the offense has been identified.

If the punishment is postponed and returned to it later, then the cat will not understand why they treated it this way and will unconsciously repeat its offense. By its actions, the cat only demonstrates resentment and tries to show you that it expects attention and affection from you. And as soon as you show them, the cat will gladly answer you with mutual love. You should never hit or yell at a cat. In order for the prankster to understand that she did wrong, all she needs to do is raise her voice a little and talk to her in a stern tone. Believe me, the cat will not feel guilty, even if you punish it very strongly. According to veterinarians, guilt is the only feeling that cats lack! So don't try to induce it artificially. Punishments for offenses should not be excessive, but it should be clear that this is precisely punishment. This must also be done consistently and without exception: a misdemeanor is a punishment. And the most important condition: punishment should be immediately after the offense (or even better during), but not in an hour, day or week. This is the only way to develop the correct conditioned reflex in an animal.

Why do cats turn away when they are scolded?

Everything is very simple. When the owner makes a remark to his pet, he looks into her eyes. And for cats, a direct gaze (especially in combination with a stern tone) only means aggression. And it becomes incomprehensible to them why their beloved owner suddenly shows aggression. The cat tries to stop further developments and turns away from the owner to avoid eye contact. In this way, the cat shows that she noticed the aggression of her breadwinner and realized that he was dissatisfied with something.

What can offend a cat?

Many of your actions can cause your cat to be offended:

Indifference and silence

The cat feels unwanted, which is why it makes unforgivable mistakes, thereby attracting attention to itself;

Screams and swearing. The animal gets scared and begins to hide in the farthest corners

In especially severe cases, later it takes a long time to get the cat out of its frightened and depressed state;

Pushes and kicks. The cat will be mortally offended by anyone for this, and it will be very difficult to earn her forgiveness later;

Imposing your will on the animal. In such cases, the offended cat becomes angry and may behave inappropriately - scratch your hands and face.

Don't leave your cat alone for long periods of time.

Despite the fact that cats are not pack animals, they cannot be without communication for long. A very offensive situation for the animal would be your departure, in which you decide to leave the cat completely alone for a long time. And even the temporary arrival of your friends cannot replace full communication with you. So don’t be surprised that when you return home, you’ll most likely find a little mess in the form of a broken flower pot or peeled wallpaper. The cat, in your absence, feels loneliness and fear, so it will play mischief in order to somehow throw out negative feelings. And you shouldn’t scold her for this - your cat simply had a hard time tolerating loneliness.

What to do if the cat is still “offended”?

This behavior absolutely does not mean that you need to immediately approach the cat sitting in the corner and stroke it, caress it. You should wait a few minutes, maybe half an hour - the cat will come to you on its own: she must make sure that the owner is no longer showing aggression towards her. And when she comes up, you can pet her and talk in a soothing tone. She will understand that everything is fine and will calm down.

And remember: a cat is a living creature, and it will be calm and comfortable next to you if you learn mutual understanding.

To kill a cat means to endure seven years of misfortune

Killing a cat threatens the culprit with a long period of failure. In the old days, this sign sounded like this: “Whoever accidentally kills a cat will certainly face the death penalty or mortal danger.” This is due to the fact that a cat’s aura is large and “encompasses” not only the person with whom the animal interacts, but also his family and home.

Even if you don't believe in omens, killing a cat is an immoral act.

What can offend a cat?

Many cat owners have to deal with a situation where a purring pet begins to ignore them. The animal tries to be seen by the owners or a specific person in the house as little as possible, and will not approach it. The reason for this behavior may be an insult caused to your pet. To prevent such problems from arising, it is worth knowing what cats are offended by.

Lack of attention. Although cats are freedom-loving animals, they do not like to be left alone for long periods of time. This can lead to stress in the animal, which will cause resentment. Purrs need to be given enough attention, otherwise they will feel unnecessary, which will also have a bad effect on their attitude towards their owners.
Screams. A loud cry from the owners can frighten the cat, which will subsequently cause feelings of resentment. If curses are addressed to a pet with a clear demonstration of the owner’s indignation, the animal may be offended for a long time and will try to look for secluded corners in the house so as not to catch the eye of the owners. Regularly repeated screams often lead to depression in your pet.
Hitting and pulling by the scruff of the neck. Sometimes pet owners consider it normal to punish their pet with kicks or even hits. This behavior of the owners insults the purr and awakens in them a feeling of resentment. Adult animals do not tolerate being pulled by the scruff of the neck.
Coercion of an animal. Not all cats like to be cuddled and stroked constantly, so they may try to move away from their loving owners. If they are forced to sit on your lap or stay in a certain place, they will perceive it as an invasion of their personal space, which will cause them resentment.
Castration or sterilization. Many owners notice that purrs become offended by them after sterilization or castration. This is understandable, since your pet had to endure a far from pleasant procedure. If your cat is offended after sterilization, just be patient, and soon your trusting relationship with your pet will be renewed. During such a period, it will not be a bad idea to pamper your pet with various delicacies.

Why pregnant women should not kick, offend, beat cats and other animals: signs, superstitions

In general, there is a lot of controversy regarding the advisability of keeping a cat in the house with a pregnant owner. Indeed, cats are carriers of a huge number of different ailments. This is mainly toxoplasmosis or worms. If you become infected with this disease at an early stage, you can give birth to a sick child. Toxoplasmosis in pregnant women often leads to the birth of disabled people and children with serious disabilities. More information about toxoplasmosis can be found here.

Consequences of infection with toxoplasmosis during pregnancy:

Damage to internal organs in a child
Brain damage in the fetus
Anomalies in the development of the liver and its function (jaundice, congenital hepatitis)
The birth of a baby with acute toxoplasmosis, which leads to deafness or blindness after a few years

But it’s not just about diseases that cats carry. People have a lot of beliefs and beliefs regarding animals.

Why pregnant women should not kick, offend, beat cats and other animals: signs, superstitions

Signs associated with cats:

If you hit a cat, the baby will be born with a hairy back
If you kick an animal, it may be born prematurely
If you kick or spank a cat, the baby may be born with damaged legs. People believe that this can cause children to be born with club feet, cerebral palsy and deformed legs.
Your child may develop spots or moles with hair on their back or other parts of their body.

It is worth noting that it is useless to beat cats. Their psyche is fundamentally different from that of humans, so they perceive blows and screams as an encroachment on their freedom. Accordingly, in the future the cat will react aggressively to you or certain objects.

Why pregnant women should not kick, offend, beat cats and other animals: signs, superstitions
Ways to punish a cat:

Place mothballs in flower pots. This smell scares away animals, and the cat will no longer go to the toilet in a flower pot.
Place mousetraps near areas where your cat should not go. Cover them with sheets of paper to prevent damage to the animal's paws. When you step on the mousetraps, a popping sound will be made. The animal will be frightened and will avoid such areas.
Fill a tin can with coins and place it near you; as soon as you notice that your pet is mischievous, throw this “rattle” into it. The animal will be frightened by the loud sound.
If your pet climbs up the curtain, direct a stream of water from a spray bottle at it. Because of the cold and wetness, the cat will jump off the curtain and run away. After two times of such exposure, the pet will bind the curtains and moisture, and will no longer crawl on the curtains.

The best way to stop a cat from misbehaving or going where it is not supposed to is to place repellent objects in these places. Cats are afraid of noise and water.

Why pregnant women should not kick, offend, beat cats and other animals: signs, superstitions

Cause of family quarrels

For inexplicable reasons, a cat can affect not only you, but also relationships within the family. And if the animal is offended, the relationship between husband and wife will deteriorate, quarrels and scandals will appear. The stronger the insult, the worse and worse the situation in the family will worsen. Also a bonus is the deterioration of the condition of family members and the final disagreement.

And it’s very easy to offend a cat. It is enough to spank her, hit her or grab her by the scruff of the neck after she has done a mischief. The animal does not understand the relationship between its action and the insult inflicted and will believe that the owner is beating it just like that, out of anger. Therefore, you should behave politely with the furry avenger: treat him kindly and educate him without assault.

What could be the real danger?

As mentioned above, rational reasons why pregnant women should not touch cats are associated with the risk of contracting a number of diseases:

Toxoplasmosis. The disease poses a serious danger to the fetus: infection soon after conception usually leads to miscarriage, and later - to premature birth and often the birth of children with disabilities. If infected before the 24th week of pregnancy, artificial termination is usually recommended.

If you live permanently with a cat or have frequent contact with stray animals, there is a high probability that infection with toxoplasmosis went undetected (according to statistics, this is about 90% of women). The body of a healthy person copes with toxoplasma without outside interference, and as a result, stable lifelong immunity is formed. You can find out about its presence using a special analysis from the TORCH complex.

Worms. They appear not only in street pets, but also in apartment pets. Almost all types of “cat” parasites (roundworms, threadworms and tapeworms, echinococci) easily settle in the human body, with the exception of hookworms. The use of anthelmintic drugs is contraindicated in pregnant women, so if infection occurs, treatment will need to be delayed until at least the 3rd trimester or until delivery. Parasites do not have a direct negative effect on the fetus, but provoke a deterioration in the woman’s health, the development of anemia and vitamin deficiency.
Ringworm. The pathology does not pose a great danger to the pregnant woman, but treatment will again have to be postponed. Foci of lichen will only grow, so recovery will take a longer time.

Other diseases (chlamydia, salmonellosis). Usually the risk of catching them from a cat (even a stray) is not too high, but it would be wiser to limit contact with other people's animals.

Having a cat in the house during pregnancy is not necessarily dangerous. A healthy, examined animal cannot harm the expectant mother (especially if she has immunity to toxoplasmosis. Timely vaccinations for the animal, regular treatment for worms and parasites, and compliance with basic hygiene rules will ensure comfortable coexistence with the pet and positive emotions from communicating with it.

Reasons why a cat might be offended

There are several main reasons for cat grievances.

Lack of attention

Lack of attention can offend even the most freedom-loving cat. Being alone for a long time, animals begin to experience stress, which leads to resentment.

You should devote time to your furry: short but regular communication with your pet will help you avoid the unpleasant consequences of cat insults

After all, an ignored animal often begins to play dirty tricks, thus trying to attract the owner’s attention.

Often cats get offended due to lack of attention

In the New Year's pre-holiday bustle there was absolutely no time to play with your pet. There was always something to do, and in the end the cat reminded herself in the most noticeable way. Despite her age (six years old is more than an adult), she began to regularly run around the house, picking up carpets and rumpling curtains. It was useless to scold her at such moments. In the end, it turned out that the cat needed affection. After a week of regular affection, the crazy running stopped.

Noise and rudeness

Screaming and swearing have a bad effect on your pet. Even if you did not yell at the cat or did it in a short fit of anger, the consequences can be very sad. The pet may become depressed or begin to hide from the person who not only raised his voice, but also frightened him with his behavior.

Rough handling can also offend an animal. If you hit, push or kick your cat, do not be surprised that after some time he stops cuddling and purring towards you. Sometimes even careless movement from place to place can offend the animal. For example, not everyone is ready to calmly endure being pulled by the scruff of the neck. This can offend gentle cats who are not used to such treatment.

Forced squeezing

Excessive squeezing against the will of the animal can also harm the relationship between cat and owner.

It is important to take into account the will of the animal. If the cat does not want to sit in your arms, then you should not hold him by force, as this in most cases will lead to offense.

Otherwise, don't be surprised if your pet starts biting and scratching.

To maintain a good relationship with your pet, take care of him and regularly show him your love, but do not overdo it with affection.

Carrying out unpleasant procedures

Unpleasant and painful procedures negatively affect the relationship between a person and his pet. This is especially true in situations where the animal is in pain. Castration and sterilization can harm an animal for a long time. The same goes for injections, wound treatment, declawing, etc.

Most hygiene procedures are unpleasant for the cat, so he gets offended

My cat has two main reasons for being offended. First of all, he doesn't like to wash himself. Therefore, every time after water procedures, he ignores me until the moment when his fur dries. Then the offense is forgotten, and your favorite treats help you make peace faster. Secondly, he is very jealous. For this reason, I try not to pet any other cats in front of him, in order to avoid being ignored for many hours, accompanied by dissatisfied growls.

Is it possible to kill cats?

The Research Center of the University of Bremen is no longer authorized to conduct research on animals. This decision was made by the authorities of Bremen, although the center, headed by the respectable neuroscientist Andreas Kreiter, was not caught in any violations and was successfully certified just a year ago. The reason for the refusal to renew the license was cited as “changed social values” and “ethical unfoundedness” of the research conducted at the center. The latter means that their results cannot be immediately used in practical medicine - which means there is no point in torturing highly organized animals just to satisfy the curiosity of researchers.

The decision of the Bremen authorities still looks exotic, but is no longer unprecedented. Back in June, a Swiss court banned two series of neurophysiological experiments on monkeys planned by employees of the Zurich Institute of Neuroinformatics. The motivation was very similar: during the research (they were designed for three years), obtaining results useful for society is unlikely, which means that the suffering of animals is unjustified.

European humanists can be understood. Anyone who has worked in experimental physiology will easily remember the many animals sacrificed in the course of work, the results of which were then of no use to anyone. On the other hand, it takes decades for a truly outstanding scientific achievement to be fully appreciated: it is rare that the Nobel Prize crowns work completed less than 20–25 years before it was awarded. At the time of conducting (let alone planning) research, no one can guarantee that it will bring important results. Taking this into account, the approach of the German and Swiss authorities means the rejection of any fundamental research in physiology.

By the way, Switzerland looks like a clear leader in this movement. The requirement to “take into account the dignity” of living organisms has even found its way into the country’s current Constitution. And in April of this year, the Swiss Federal Commission of Bioethics released a document entitled “The Dignity of Living Beings as Applied to Plants.” And although the practical recommendations contained in it boiled down to the requirement not to cause damage to plants without any purpose at all, the basis for this is the recognition of plants’ “dignity” (for which the commission was awarded the Ignobel Prize this year in the category “For promoting peace”). .

But in fact, what’s wrong with the fact that we recognize some rights for our neighbors on the planet (for starters, at least for animals)? Since the right has lost its religious justification, a person has no reason left to claim a special position in the living world. Other species are the same creatures of evolution and indigenous inhabitants of the Earth, and we have no choice but to give them the same rights that we ourselves have, and in the future enter into legal relations with them. Is not it?

Not this way. To have rights means to control them. To do this, the subject of law must at least be able to express his will. When trying to imagine how this would look in relation to animals, one involuntarily recalls the joke about an American sergeant on a fishing trip addressing worms: “Guys, our conscription has been cancelled. Are there any volunteers?

Proponents of the idea of rights of other species usually respond that on behalf of animals their rights should be exercised by specially authorized people - guardians, as is the case with the rights of children or incapacitated persons. In essence, the person under care is treated as an object - albeit precious, but without any desires of its own. Granting rights to a wide range of subjects that can only be exercised through guardians is just playing with words.

In addition, the subject of law cannot but be the subject of responsibility. Already today in civilized countries the law punishes a person who kills a cat for fun. But if a cat is not only protected by law, but itself becomes a subject of law, then what if it kills a sparrow? Either she will bear the same responsibility for this as the human flayer, or all the words about the “rights” of her and the sparrow will turn out to be meaningless demagoguery.

Let's be honest: the institution of law is our purely human games. No matter what we write in our laws, only our humanity can protect animals from our cruelty. The measure of which we will have to determine ourselves. There is simply no one else.

How cats show offense

Cats have many ways to show that they are unhappy. Resentment can be expressed both in very harmless things and in serious dirty tricks that even the most inattentive owner will notice. One of the common manifestations of dissatisfaction is being ignored. If a pet is offended by a specific person, and not by the whole family, then he can sit demonstratively in the arms of others, but ignore the culprit of his bad mood.

You can see signs of resentment even with a short observation of the animal. An upset cat looks more sullen, moves little, lowers its tail and presses it to its hind legs in the presence of its owner.

Many people I know have cats that express joy and satisfaction with sharp flicks of their tail, but my pet, on the contrary, shows his dissatisfaction and resentment in this way. At the same time, by the frequency and force of twitching of the furry limb, one can understand how much the cat’s pride is wounded.

Vengeful and angry pets will act more decisively. They are capable of deliberately making a mess at home: throwing flower pots, vases and other objects onto the floor.

Often throwing things away is a way to show your resentment.

Many cats begin to damage furniture, tear wallpaper off walls and mark things. In some cases, cats begin to ignore the litter box, leaving “gifts” not only in the offender’s slippers, but also in other unexpected places.