40 Common Mistakes Cat Owners Make, And The Reasons To Avoid Them

Now, we all know that cats with cute collars go together like mac and cheese. And the addition of a tiny bell pushes the cute factor into the stratosphere. But much as we love them, these animal accessories can cause our kitties a bit of a problem. Our feline friends, it seems, are a little gung-ho when it comes to ridding themselves of them – and the bits can become a choking hazard, according to hillspet.com. Bye-bye cute bell.

Lots of cats love a good hands-on play session. But if you’ve ever come away from the game bearing the scars of battle, there’s a good chance your feline friend is overstimulated says website Canidae. A lighter touch during play, or using toys should save your poor hands. And arms. And legs.

Admittedly, the occasional brush of kitty’s fur is absolutely fine. But cutting, dyeing, or generally coiffuring their fur is a big no-no, says website Pet Place. And yes, we know how fabulous it looks. In truth, a cat’s fur serves a specific function, including regulating their temperature, so messing with it is a bad idea. Plus, according to the animal protection charities, our pets just find the whole process confusing and depressing. Cats, it seems, are not fashion-forward.

We all love an impromptu conversation with our feline friends. But it turns out that they might not be enjoying it as much as we are. As observed on the website of the Library of Congress, cats only meow at humans, and it’s very much a one-way conversation. They’re telling you they need something and are not expecting an answer. In fact, according to Bright Side, it just confuses them. How dare you answer back? Where is the food?

This, as we’re sure you know, is a judgment-free zone. So we can all admit that, at one time or another, we’ve gently blown in the faces of cats, dogs, snakes, you name it. Because for us, it produces a sweet, funny reaction. Well, maybe not in snakes. But for felines, it’s actually seen as a sign of aggression, notes website The Way of Cats. Whaddya mean, highly strung?

Much as we love to think of our feline friends as beautiful, cuddly, benign creatures, they really aren’t. Expert trackers and hunters across the board, even indoor cats can be skilled predators. So if you and kitty share your home with other small animals, training your cat is essential. As vet Roy Cruzen told PetMD, “Try slow introductions and be sure to give them some space to avoid each other if they want to.”

We’re sure you’ll agree that it just isn’t a party without balloons: tons of them, be they free-floating or sculpted into arches. But for our feline friends, notes website Animalwised, they pose something of a puzzle. A scary one. Not only does the concept scare the bejesus out of them, but that terror can cause them to attack their floaty foe. And when their claws pop that air-filled sucker, the resulting noise can cause much distress.

Although we like to think of our cats as independent entities who allow us to feed and love them, they’re not quite as free-spirited as we think. According to Vets4Pets’ Marilyn Krieger, cat behaviorist, safety is a cat’s number-one concern. Keeping the days somewhat predictable helps kitty relax. Pick regular feeding and playing times, and if you have to make a change, do it slowly.

The outlier that was 2020 notwithstanding, we all like to have people over from time to time. But while we see having visitors over as a sociable, fun event that often leads to wine, our feline friends, it seems, do not. A cat’s home is its territory, and these so-called guests are invading without permission. So, if you’re planning a fabulous soiree, make sure kitty has a safe place to hide. And let them come to your visitors, not the other way around, advises Reader’s Digest magazine. Of course, they entirely reserve the right to ignore your guests completely. And also you.

This might surprise you, but despite all that fantastic fur, cats are super-sensitive to low temperatures. According to website The Rescue Vets, a cat’s body temperature needs to stay above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. And this means that during the winter, our heating needs to be at 70F or higher for kitty to be cozy. If that sounds like a tropical nightmare, your feline will also accept 60F and blanket.

As fussy as cats can be about their general hygiene, there are some things they just can’t do. And keeping their teeth clean is one of them. Yup, just like us, a cat’s teeth need regular cleaning because they can also suffer from rotten teeth and infection. Make sure you use a cat-safe paste and brush, advises veterinary charity the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA). And take it slow. We know, we can hear you laughing from here. But it is possible, we swear.

We all know that cats love a naughty little treat. Be that cheese, crisps, or a roast, we’re all guilty of gifting our feline friends the odd bit of human food. Chicken, though, can be a bit of a no-no. According to Preventive Vet, cooked chicken bones are brittle and can easily splinter. And those small, sharp pieces of bone can cause all sorts of damage to kitty’s insides. So, no chicken wings. But that’s just for the cat.

Of course, it’s massively important that our feline friends eat fresh food. So, keeping wet food in the fridge is perfectly sensible. That said, serving straight from the fridge to kitty isn’t such a good idea. Cats don’t like cold food, so they’re less likely to eat it without an intervening warming period. They much prefer a room-temperature meal, according to Animalwised.com.

Cats are beautiful. Fact. So, of course, we want to share that beauty with the world, via amazing Insta posts. While those cat pics might be super-cute, they might also be causing our feline friends some distress. According to Insider.com, kitty can find the flash jarring, claims website Insider.com. The solution: brighter rooms and lots of treats to say thank you for all the likes!

Believe it or not, there’s an ideal maximum depth for a cat’s food bowl. Why? Well, firstly, a lot of kitties simply won’t be able to reach the food at the bottom of a deep bowl. So they won’t be eating enough. Second, and perhaps more importantly, is something known as whisker fatigue. No, really, we’re not making this up. As PetMD puts it, “You can think of whisker fatigue as an information overload that stresses out your cat.” If they’ve got a deep food bowl, it’s happening whenever they eat, and it’s unpleasant enough to put kitty off its food. Change to a shallow dish at mealtimes and your cat will definitely thank you.

Let’s face it: a huge part of having pets is bestowing affection upon them whenever we wish. Because we are generous, loving pet owners. Our beloved cats, though, don’t see it in quite the same way. According to animal behavior researcher Dennis C. Turner, they actually hate it. As he told Reader’s Digest, “They certainly don’t like being held against their will.” The path to a happy cat? Always let them come to you.

Yup. Cats get bored eating just one type of food every day. Who knew? Whether that’s an all-chicken flavored diet, or just wet/dry, our feline friends will soon notice the one-note meals. In addition, eating the same thing every day could lead to allergies down the line, according to website All the Best Pet Care. Time to switch up that food!

Cats, as you may have noticed, are pretty fastidious when it comes to keeping clean. According to Vetstreet.com’s Dr. Mary Fuller, “By some estimates, they can spend up to 40 percent of the day cleaning themselves. For this reason, you may not ever have to bathe your cat.” This is handy, because, not only do they hate water in general, but it can also affect the natural oil balance of their fur, as per website Animalwised. We know it’s hilarious. But it’s only a good idea when kitty’s rolled in something gross that they can’t take care of themselves.

We all love how vocal cats can be, and get used to their individual noises, grunts, and growls. But if your feline friend develops a new set of vocalizations that you don’t recognize, it might be time to see the vet. Believe it or not, changes in kitty’s noises can point to a host of health issues. They include high blood pressure and thyroid issues, according to PetMD.

We’ve all been there. Changed the water in kitty’s bowl but “forgot” to properly wash the bowl first. After all, it’s just water, right? Nope. Bacteria can cling to the bowl if it’s not washed, according to the Ulster Society for the Prevention Cruelty to Animals (USPCA), posing a danger to our feline friends. This means water bowls have to be washed every day, claims Americat. Also, make sure water isn’t left standing. That’ll take care of those bacterial nasties.

That face. Those beautiful eyes. Who can resist looking into those pools of light, at length, all the time? No one, that’s who. But while we see a long, loving gaze as a sign of affection, in the feline world, it’s just the opposite. According to the PDSA, kitty sees direct eye contact as a sign of aggression. Oh. Try a slow blink instead.

Generally speaking, cats are eminently sensible creatures who know when to hold ‘em and when to fold ‘em. But, according to Reader’s Digest, they have one weakness: Food. Yes, like some other mammals we could mention, some cats simply can’t resist temptation. This means leaving a big, hearty bowl of food out all day might be too much for kitty’s waistline.

Much as we love cats, we have to admit that (whisper it) they aren’t always perfect. Sometimes, that can even be mildly annoying. But when they’re tap-dancing on your keyboard or relieving themselves on your coat, shouting achieves nothing. At least, not for the cat. As they’ve no earthly idea what’s going on, loud discipline is confusing and scary for them, claims Hillspet.com. Gentle coaxing and a good dry cleaner will produce much better results.

Using our hands to play with our cats seems like a natural and hilarious thing to do. But according to The Humane Society website, using our hands can give our feline friends a very specific impression. It explains, “This sends the message that your fingers and toes are prey for pouncing.” Use throw- or pole-based toys to save your dainty digits. Add in a cuddly toy for wrestling, and you should be injury-free in no time.

Now, when it comes to say, steak, a certain amount of leaving it out, so to speak, is absolutely fine. When it comes to cat food, though, fresh is always best. As we all know, wet food that’s been out for too long smells terrible, but it also houses dangerous bacteria, according to petsoverload.com. So, if kitty isn’t eating, trash any meal that’s been out for more than a few hours.

Clearly, cats aren’t the greatest fans of car rides. That can be because of the carrier, or the vet that generally appears at the other end. But we’re not entirely sure the solution is letting kitty sit in the driver’s seat. If your cat really doesn’t like transport, there are ways to make it a little easier. All it takes is some patience and a lot of treats, suggests Reader’s Digest, as you slowly introduce them to the carrier/back seat of the car. Because cats should not learn to drive. They’ve got enough on.

Believe it or not, there are literally hundreds of plants that are poisonous to our feline friends, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). As feline charity Cats Protection notes, lilies are just one example that, if brought indoors, can make kitty super-sick when ingested. Before we buy our next big bouquet, we’re going to make sure it’s cat-safe as well as fabulous, darling.

So, this one will definitely divide opinion. We all know that sometimes, cats are just crying out for a cute hat or a fabulous little elf costume. And those Insta pics will never, ever get old. The problem, and this most likely not shock you, is that cats hate dressing up. But it’s not our taste in outfits to which they object. According to Cat Behavior Associates, hats impede their hearing, which makes them anxious. And they hate having anything against their fur. If you really can’t resist, though, get kitty used to the outfit very slowly.

We had no idea this was a thing, but keeping kitty’s food and water bowls together is apparently a bad idea. Right? Who knew? According to Americat, the mere scent of food is enough to put our feline friends off drinking. And the food particles that end up in it are also extremely off-putting. All of which adds up to one thirsty cat. To lead your cat to water, keep the bowls in two separate locations as they would be in the wild.

Just as adult strangers can make cats nervous, so too can the often-unpredictable trip of babies, children, and dogs. Each can be noisy, playful, and curious with no warning. And as our feline friends prefer a quiet predictability to life, this trio can be tricky to handle. Reader’s Digest suggests introducing them slowly, perhaps with audio recordings prior to brief, in-person meetings. Eventually, kitty and baby/child/dog will be fast friends.

For us, washing things we wear and use regularly is essential. It kills bacteria, removes dirt, and leaves them smelling gorgeous. So, of course, we do the same for kitty’s blankets and toys and such. But cats aren’t best pleased when we wash their stuff. For them, scent is everything and washing removes those comforting, homely smells. And it’s worse than that: if like us, you wash everything in a citrus-scented soap, then we’re actively putting our cats off. According to the PDSA, cats hate the scent of oranges and lemons. Who knew?

Despite a cat’s Greta Garbo-esque “I-want-to-be-alone” tendencies, it turns out they’d often prefer at least the illusion of company. Although cats do have great eyesight, they can’t see when it’s pitch black. And if they’re alone and can’t see, that can cause anxiety, according to archiecat.com. Leaving a light on, even a dim one, can go a long way to relieving that stress.

As we’ve seen, our feline friends like routine. But that doesn’t mean they want every day to be exactly the same. As Oregon State University’s Kristyn Vitale told Reader’s Digest, “Having a home environment that never changes can also be boring for cats.” While playing and interacting with them is, of course important, variety is key. Vitale went on, “Giving your cat new toys and forms of enrichment can help stimulate their mind.”

Obviously, litter trays are an excellent idea. Cats require somewhere specific and private when the need arises and trays are perfect for that. Kitties are also fastidious about where they relieve themselves and trays make cleaning up a breeze. But did you know that one tray isn’t enough, even for a single cat? Reader’s Digest recommends two trays per feline, spread around the house. That way, they can relax and go about their, ahem, business.

Not cats apparently. No, we had no idea either. It seems that while some kitties love a good tummy tickle, others really don’t. Or as Dennis C. Turner put it to Reader’s Digest, “Most cats don’t like to be stroked on their tummies.” So, if a feline friend tries to leave, bats with a paw or bites, they’re not loving the belly rub. Best to back away at that point.

Seeing a little kitten paw at a ball of yarn might seem the picture of sweet innocence the instinct is actually rooted in something much more primal. Zoologists theorize the reason cats love playing with yarn so much is actually tied to their innate urge to hunt. The moving yarn is believed to be reminiscent of a snake. So that cute game of catch the dangling yarn? Yea, that's fake snake murder.

Yes, watching a cat play with a laser pointer is one of the cutest sights in the universe. Yes, it’s also hilarious. And yes, we definitely shouldn’t be doing it. Why? Well, according to cat behaviorist Marilyn Krieger, lasers can frustrate our feline friends. They can’t catch them and have no idea why. As she told Catster, “[That] can overstimulate them and, in some cases, cause them to act aggressively.” Playing with 3-D toys they can actually catch makes them much happier.

A cat’s tail is a thing of glory. It expresses mood, keeps them upright and balanced during feline acrobatics and exploration, and looks amazing. Of course, we want to touch it, but that isn’t necessarily a good idea. As noted by website AnimalsHQ, a tail is full of nerves and muscles and incredibly sensitive. This means any touching or grabbing produces all sorts of physical responses in our feline friends. Tails are also incredibly delicate and easily damaged. Best admired from afar.

We’ve all seen the videos. Cats have an immediate and, often hilarious reaction to the surprise appearance of a cucumber. We know they’re carnivores but do they really hate veggies that much? The short answer is no. The slightly longer answer has to do with snakes. Or maybe it’s the sudden appearance of the veg that does it. Either way, according to National Geographic magazine, this fake-snake schtick causes our feline friends a lot of distress.

Yup. Despite decades’-worth of movies and cartoons telling us otherwise, it turns out that cow’s milk is bad for cats. Dr. Sarah Elliot told Cats Protection why, saying, “Many cats are lactose intolerant, and while a little milk may not hurt, it may also cause diarrhea.” She went on, “Also, milk contains a few extra calories, which they may not need.” So everything you see in the movies isn’t true? Who’d have guessed?