How aware are you of your pet? The question may have you scratching your head, wondering well yeah, I’m aware of my pet every day. I feed her, water her, rub her belly and take her for walks or change his litter box. But the question is more complex than surface appearances. National Pet Awareness Month urges pet parents to become aware of their pet on a deeper level. The month focuses on getting you and your pet more acquainted with one another, such as taking a training class or learning more about interpreting your pet’s behavior.
Pets communicate primarily through body language, a language not many pet parents are fluent in. Sure, a wagging tail usually signals curiosity or happiness, or a low purr is contentment. But as with any language, there are subtle nuances that express much more.
Our feline friends are kings and queens of nuance. They may not do backflips in excitement when you walk through the door, but they have their ways of showing affection.
– Head bump — A cat’s go-to way of saying hello, the head bump signals that you are one of his own, so go ahead and gently bump him right back.
– Kneading — If you?re in the right position, you may get a massage from your kitty pal when he decides to knead his paws. Generally, this is a sign he is happy.
– Licking — Like the head butt, this is one of kitty’s ways of adding you to the group. It is a common way to exchange his scent through grooming.
Another way to be more aware of your feline friend is to provide a feeling of security. Cats enjoy silence, including when eating and relieving themselves. Leaving the food bowl by the fridge or litter box in the laundry room can be more unsettling to him than we may realize when the motors and gears are engaged during use.
Cats definitely do have curiosity, shown through their observance of other animals and people — but from afar. They prefer to observe in a cocoon of security, usually invisible, and not be exposed. A high shelf or cat tree that overlooks an outdoor area is a great place for him to observe from.
Allow him to initiate any cuddling or outward affection. Though it may be very tempting to snuggle up with a fluffy kitty, cats call the shots here. If he lays on his back and displays his stomach, it’s his way of saying he trusts you to gently rub his tummy. Be careful and quick when petting his rump; the area is full of nerve endings and highly sensitive. A couple quick pats are likely all he will enjoy.
Our canine companions are near experts in our body language and voice inflections, even if we struggle with it ourselves. Anger and other related emotions are picked up on by dogs, resulting in stress, anxiety and sometimes aggression. The same goes for physical actions, such as slamming doors.
When training your pup, be as clear and concise as possible. Dogs don’t follow ‘do as I say, not as I do,’ but rather the exact opposite, learning more quickly from visual cues than vocal. It’s a good idea to follow this even after she is trained.
Knowing her likes and dislikes goes beyond her preference for kibble poured into the food bowl. An easy place to start is knowing things she can’t stand, whether it’s a pat on the head, specific scents, loud noises and so on.
A deeper awareness of your pet can strengthen an already strong bond between you. How are you more aware of your pet?