Cats are independent & three more kitty myths

Most people's opinions about cats aren't the least bit lukewarm -- they either love them or hate them. But negative feelings about cats are often actually based on four myths: 

• Cats are aloof. Cats are tuned into their environment because they're hunters. Their acute senses are always on alert for potential prey. If your cat sits on your lap, facing away from you, it doesn't mean he's aloof; it means he trusts you enough to turn his back while surveying the environment. 
• Cats are independent. People often assume this because cats hunt alone. But it's actually simply because they're so small that they can only hunt small prey. There just wouldn't be enough for everyone if four cats went out hunting one mouse.
• Cats rarely like other cats. Cats are territorial, so it takes finesse in order to introduce an additional cat into the home, but if done correctly, they often become friends.  In situations where it doesn't work out, it could be because of an abrupt introduction, not enough territory, or just bad chemistry. 
• Cats don't form close social bonds. That's actually not the case at all. In an outdoor setting, mother cats may help nurse and raise other mothers' kittens. Cats also frequently engage in social grooming. If you've ever seen your cats snuggled close together as they sleep in the sun, you know how just how close those social bonds can be.

To learn more about cat behavior, check out my new book, Starting from Scratch.