Why Your Cat Ignores You When You Call It
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Dr. Pippa Elliott BVMS, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr Pippa Elliott BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in companion animal practice. In 1987 she graduated from the University of Glasgow, with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She works at Blythwood Vets and the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA). Pippa is an advocate of Fear-Free Practice, an animal addict, and a veterinary writer. She is also w...
Veterinarian
UPDATED: Dec 17, 2023
Pet Insurance U receives compensation from the third parties included on this site. This includes payment for clicks from our site to insurance providers’ sites and quote requests generated. Our rankings and reviews are not affected by payments from the insurance companies. The compensation we receive allows the site to be free and regularly updated. Our goal is to review every pet insurance provider, but not all companies are listed on the site.
And many of the companies we review do not pay us anything. We simply rate, compare and review their plan because we feel it will be valuable to you. Our reviews are guaranteed to be unbiased, professional and advertising compensation does not influence rankings.
We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about pet insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything pet insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by pet insurance experts.
UPDATED: Dec 17, 2023
Pet Insurance U receives compensation from the third parties included on this site. This includes payment for clicks from our site to insurance providers’ sites and quote requests generated. Our rankings and reviews are not affected by payments from the insurance companies. The compensation we receive allows the site to be free and regularly updated. Our goal is to review every pet insurance provider, but not all companies are listed on the site.
And many of the companies we review do not pay us anything. We simply rate, compare and review their plan because we feel it will be valuable to you. Our reviews are guaranteed to be unbiased, professional and advertising compensation does not influence rankings.
On This Page
A young girl sits on her living room rug trying to gain the attention of the family’s first feline, a robust and satiated orange tabby. The girl wriggles and twirls a new toy purchased from the local pet store complete with feathers and bells.
No response. She starts to clap and wave her hands calling the cat’s name and blowing kisses. No response.
Finally, somewhere from the depths of the kitchen, a tuna can is opened and the ambivalent cat races away, leaving his young admirer starring after him. “Why is my cat ignoring me?” she asks. “Darling, he’s a cat,” replies her father.
Related: 10 Things You Must Know Before You Buy Pet Insurance
With close to 90 million domesticated cats living in 34% of homes, cats are the most popular household pet in the United States. Recent evidence indicates that cats have likely lived with humans for more than 12,000 years.
Yet, popularity and a long-term relationship have not necessarily bred cats with high social needs. So strong is the stereotype of the aloof cat that several famous quotes have been penned to express the feline mystique.
“As every cat owner knows, nobody owns a cat.” -attributed to Ellen Perry Berkeley
Not all cats are without social skills and manners. Several cats love interacting with their feline and human companions, and even other non-feline members of the household. These sweet cats are often labeled as acting more like dogs or thinking they are people!
Perhaps, these attention-seeking kitties are acting more on their own desires than a true need for affection. Fortunately, the human love for cats is strong and few cat caregivers mind that the where, when, and how’s of securing a cat’s attention are up to the cat’s preference and discretion.
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When faced with a cat that turns its back, keep the following three points in mind:
“The phrase ‘domestic cat’ is an oxymoron.” -attributed to George F. Will
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Domestication Still in Progress
Twelve thousand years may seem like a long time for an animal to become domesticated, but most scientists believe that the earliest domesticated animal was the dog. There is some evidence that dogs may have been domesticated as early as 27,000 to 40,000 years ago, depending on the reference.
Using either date, cats still have several years left before they are on the same domestication playing field as their canine counterparts.
“In ancient times cats were worshipped as gods; they have not forgotten this.” – attributed to Terry Pratchett
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Artemis was a beautiful and friendly cat to all who were willing to pet him. Unfortunately, he developed feline diabetes which required regular vet visits and medications that his Mother could not otherwise afford on her fixed income. Having PetFirst insurance, she called and discussed the problem with a friendly PetFirst agent. To her surprise, she found out that Artemis’ ongoing required vet visits and medication would be covered by his PetFirst insurance. Artemis was able to live out the rest of his life with proper medical care and medicines thanks to PetFirst insurance.
Historic Human and Cat Interaction
Human’s initial relationship with cats did not require much social interaction to be beneficial. In ancient times, cats were often revered as gods or held sacred. When much later in history cats were enlisted for work efforts, they were used primarily as mousers, a skill that utilized ingrained instinct more than training.
Cats were depended on for rodent control, but little else. Humans certainly didn’t spend hours training them to respond to commands. In comparison, dogs were potentially first used to help humans hunt and gather, a process that requires far more training and social interaction than rodent round-up.
“A dog is a man’s best friend. A cat is a cat’s best friend.” -attributed to Robet J. Vogel
Cat’s Limited Social Needs
Most animal behaviorists agree that the social needs of the house cat are lower than that of the dog. Their natural behavior precludes them from going out of their way to express compassion and affection.
Sure, they may purr when content and come running for tuna, but they are unlikely to work too hard for a pat on the head.
Cats do show affection for their owners, whether marking them as theirs or asking for a scratch on the rump, but all requests are on their terms. It is simply the destiny of a cat caregiver, no matter how dedicated, to occasionally be ignored by the cat.
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We have worked hard to provide you with all the free resources possible to help give you insight into the best pet insurance for cats, additional cat breeds info, common cat health issues, and a fun look at frequently asked cat questions.
Other Frequently asked cat questions and some unsolicited catty advice…
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why do some cats ignore their owners when called?
Cats, by nature, may not be as socially inclined as dogs. While some cats enjoy interaction, others may have lower social needs. It’s essential to understand that a cat’s attention and affection are often on their terms.
How long does it take for a cat to be fully domesticated?
While cats have been living with humans for over 12,000 years, domestication is an ongoing process. Unlike dogs, which may have been domesticated earlier, cats still exhibit behaviors influenced by their ancient instincts.
What was the historic relationship between humans and cats?
In ancient times, cats were often revered as gods or held sacred. Initially enlisted for rodent control, cats were not extensively trained for social interaction, unlike dogs that were potentially first used to help humans hunt and gather.
Do cats have lower social needs compared to dogs?
Yes, most animal behaviorists agree that the social needs of house cats are generally lower than those of dogs. While cats may show affection in their own ways, they are less likely to go out of their way to express compassion and affection compared to dogs.
Why do some cats come when called while others ignore it?
Cats may come when called due to curiosity, positive associations, or a desire for attention. However, some cats may ignore calls if they haven’t been motivated or if they perceive the owner as a potential threat.
How can I make my cat more responsive to calls and commands?
Positive reinforcement, using treats or toys, can help motivate cats. However, it’s crucial to respect a cat’s independence and not resort to violence or abuse in training, as this can lead to fear and avoidance behaviors.
Can I trust pet insurance reviews on this site?
Yes, our pet insurance reviews are unbiased and professional. We receive compensation from third parties, but it does not influence our rankings. Our goal is to provide valuable information to help you make informed decisions about pet insurance.
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap pet insurance rates.
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Dr. Pippa Elliott BVMS, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr Pippa Elliott BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in companion animal practice. In 1987 she graduated from the University of Glasgow, with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She works at Blythwood Vets and the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA). Pippa is an advocate of Fear-Free Practice, an animal addict, and a veterinary writer. She is also w...
Veterinarian
We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about pet insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything pet insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by pet insurance experts.