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I feel like the reason certain dog-lovers insist cats are evil is because they read their body language as if they were dogs. So here’s a very basic guide to common “mean” things cats do that actually aren’t mean at all if you know what they’re thinking.

Rolling and exposing belly- attacks you when touched Does not mean: Give belly rubs! - haha I tricked you! Actually means: I’m playful! If you reach for my belly I’ll grab your arm and bite it because I think we’re playfighting!

Lazily exposing belly - still attacks when touched Does not mean: tricked you again! Actually means: I’m showing you my belly because I trust you. Please don’t break that trust by invading my personal space. I might accept a belly rub if I’m not ticklish and I know you well. Snapping at you while being pet Does not mean: I suddenly decided I dislike you! Actually means: You’re petting me in a way that gives me too much restless energy. Please focus on petting my head and shoulders instead of stroking the full length of my back next time.

Is in the same room but makes no attempt to interact Does not mean: I’m ignoring you Actually means: We’re hanging out! I’m being respectful by giving you space while still enjoying your company. Slapping/scratching your hand when you try to pet them Does not mean: I hate you! Actually means: You’ve failed to establish that we’re not playing, or the way you’re approaching me scares me. Be calmer, speak more gently, make eye-contact and blink slowly at me before you try again.

squeakykins

I love this post omg, thank you so much. As a lifelong cat person, dogs perplex me because they’re so completely different behaviourally.

blome3kissesbitch

I love dogs too but, I’ve been trying to tell people, you canNOT treat cats like you treat dogs. They arent the same animals and have very different personalities

blome3kissesbitch

P.s.: people often pet cats way too hard. Dogs like a firm pet or a pat on the belly, cats dont have the same bone structure and are more flexible than dogs so what you’re doing probably hurts them

hella-free-space

I’m extra extra glad I read this before I had a cat, after I had just gotten a cat, and after having a cat for a good 6 months – because this is so true! And it’s helped me be much more respectful of my cat and her space and I think it’s allowed us to have a closer relationship :D because I respect her boundaries and listen to her, instead of trying to make her do what I want (like making her let me pet her or hold her, etc.) she now trusts me and comes up to me every once in a while and let’s me know when she DOES want to be pet or played with and it’s awesome! :D she’s even sat/layed with me on an few occasions ^-^

the-trustingguard

@hella-free-space

As a long time cat owner (and lover!!) If you get toys for them to play with, it’s even better because then you can respect their personal space, but still have fun with them. long pieces of string, or a laser pointer are good toys for them! (it’s also fun to make cats go in circles with laser pointers)

but yeah, also cats are more gentle creatures and DO NOT like rough housing as much as dogs do, and if they do like rough housing, be gentle as possible, bc watch their tails!! if it’s twitching a lot and their ears are pointed back, it means they feel threatened and will attack back! that’s when you DO need to back off, and let them be. Also, when having eye contact with them in that point, IMMEDIATELY LOOK DOWN/AWAY FROM THEM, TURN YOUR HEAD IF NEED BE. CATS WILL RECOGNIZE THIS AS BEING SUBMISSIVE AND PUT THEM AS THE DOMINATE ONES, AND WILL LEAVE YOU BE. EYE CONTACT IS A MAJOR THING WITH CATS.

hella-free-space

We have one of those cat wands with a long piece of cloth attached ^-^ and lots of toys too~ she loves to chase things! :D she does the cutest little but wiggle when she crouches, just before she runs across the room to pounce on something ♡

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Stunning underworld on my desk

lets-catch-some-waves

thesingingfishtank

2 day old Peacock Gudgeon fry.

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charming-eel

I don’t think this tank could get any more gorgeous.

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a mega cut of my visit to the goldfish place 🖤🖤🖤 ugh i was watching that one big orange and black one with the nice tail on the site they’re sold from… on one hand a lil sad he’ll never be mine, but on the other hand at least i got to see him irl!

they just got a new shipment in today so all the goldies seemed a lil more stressed than they usually are…