Bored Panda reached out to Sally Chamberlain, who's a clinical animal behaviorist and cat expert, to dig into our feline friends' behavior and our relationship with them. Sally provides tips on cat training, preventing issues, and educates people about cat behavior. Keep reading to learn more about our furry friends!

When it comes to cats, have you ever wondered if different breeds have their own special behaviors? In other words, do Siamese cats act differently from Persians? We asked Sally Chamberlain to share her thoughts on whether specific cat breeds show unique behaviors. The clinical animal behaviorist said that she believes some pedigree cats exhibit distinct behavioral characteristics. However, every cat within a breed can still have its own personality and might not always act exactly like others of its breed. “The temperament and quirks of each cat will vary. For example, Ragdoll cats are renowned for being ‘floppy’, docile, placid, and affectionate, yet I know a Ragdoll who is quite lively, playful and only likes to be affectionate on his terms. Bengal cats, a cross between an Asian Leopard Cat and a domestic tabby cat, are known for being bold, confident, and demanding, yet a Bengal I know is generally quite reserved and nervous but enjoys affection and playtime with his humans.

Overall, pedigree cats tend to be bred for their looks and temperament but this can sadly lead to them having health problems due to a small gene pool. For example, flat-faced Persian cats can have breathing difficulties and eye problems, Scottish Folds may have ear trouble and bald Sphynx cats can have skin problems.”

Building a strong bond with your cat begins with effective communication. Many cat owners wonder how they can best connect with their feline friends to deepen their understanding and strengthen their relationship. According to Chamberlain, cats need to feel a sense of choice and control in order to feel happy and secure. “If a human would like to interact with a cat, the best way to go about this is to obtain their consent by crouching down to the cat’s side with a hand held out in a loose fist slightly away from the cat. This then gives them the choice as to whether or not to approach. If the cat approaches and nudges or sniffs your hand, gently move to stroke them on the head, but only do this for a few seconds. If they would like more contact, they’ll probably nudge you for more. If not, they’ll walk away and carry on with their feline business. Cats tend to only like being touched around their head and neck area but they are all different and, depending on how well you know the cat, they might enjoy lots of petting.”

Slowly blinking at a cat can also be helpful because it's a friendly way cats communicate with each other. A great way to engage with a cat is also by playing with a wand toy instead of using your hands directly. “Cats are natural hunters of small prey animals, so a wiggly worm, furry mouse, or feather on the end of a string should be irresistible for them. Cats have come to understand that humans can’t resist some of the cute sounds they make but when we vocally communicate with a cat, we should use a gentle voice and subtle tones because they don’t tend to like loud people or lots of noise. Training your cat can also be a great way to bond. This article has some good advice on how to communicate with cats,” Chamberlain told us.

Have you ever wondered how a cat's age and life stage shape its behavior? From curious kittens to seasoned seniors, each stage brings distinct behaviors and needs. “As we all know, kittens are very playful but, as cats get older, we need to ensure they get the right level of care and enrichment for their age,” Chamberlain shared. “Senior cats, which are often considered to be senior after the age of 11 years, tend to slow down and can be more susceptible to health problems such as kidney disease, arthritis, thyroid problems, cancer, dental disease, cognitive decline and loss of sight or hearing amongst other things. It becomes even more important to take our senior feline companions for regular check-ups and keep an eye on them generally. If their behavior changes, get them checked out by the vet. That’s not to say that all senior cats will suffer ill health. Many still enjoy an active lifestyle with lots of play and enrichment suitable for their age group.”

Understanding the importance of socialization for cats is key to ensuring their well-being and happiness. Just like humans, cats benefit from positive interactions and exposure to various environments. Chamberlain agrees that socialization is very important for cats to ensure that they become well-balanced adult cats who enjoy living in a domestic home. “There is a period in kittenhood between 2-7 weeks called the sensitive period when socialization is most likely to be effective. Socialization is the process by which kittens are carefully introduced to humans, other cats, and various species of animals, slowly and positively a little each day. This means allowing them to be gently handled and play with people of all ages, races and wearing different things so that they do not display any fearful body language or behavior towards them.

They should also meet well-behaved, cat-friendly dogs and other animals they may come across in a home. Habituation is also important, which is the process by which they get used to the sights, sounds, and smells of a domestic home so that they become habituated to domestic appliances such as washing machines, vacuum cleaners and doorbells without being fearful of them. Cats that have never encountered humans or lived in a domestic setting are referred to as feral or semi-feral, depending on their upbringing. They can sometimes be slowly introduced to all of the above, but many feral and semi-feral cats are often much less stressed living as barn cats or in feral cat sanctuaries.”