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Embarrassment
At first this seems like another tricky
abstract emotion. A cat which clumsily falls off a
shelf and acts differently according to whether
the owner is watching or whether the owner is
believed to be out of sight is thought to be
showing embarrassment.. Embarrassment in humans is
associated with potential loss of face, loss of
status or loss of respect (these are all related,
but modified by culture and circumstances). The
loss of status may be permanent or temporary.
A cat is not only a predator, it is also prey
for larger animals. In addition it is programmed
to fight other cats for its territory and for
mates. If it shows any indication of weakness, it
may be challenged by a younger or fitter rival and
ousted from its territory.
For this reason, many cats hide signs of
illness, injury and pain. A cat which has fallen
off a shelf in plain sight will pretend the event
has not happened i.e. that it has not shown any
weakness. A human may make excuses for why a
similar human mishap happened (the ledge was icy
or slippery); this is simply a human way of saving
face. Cats speak with their bodies and an
"embarrassed" cat will most often sit
down and wash nonchalantly - cat speak for
"nothing has happened"!
Jealousy
"The cat will be jealous of the new baby
and harm it!" "My cat is jealous of the
kitten and keeps urinating on the bed!"
"Tiddles sulked and moved next door."
Jealousy and sulking are human emotions. A cat
is protective of its territory and defends it.
Unless a newcomer is carefully introduced so that
it is accepted as a "family member", a
territorial fight/flight response is triggered.
Few cats respond to a new arrival with enthusiasm.
We must understand how a cat views the world about
it and to understand how it is responding rather
than interpreting feline reactions as human-like
emotions.
When a newcomer arrives, the owner's attention
is suddenly divided. The cat receives less
attention. The newcomer may receive a
disproportionate amount of attention. There are
new smells and sounds and a bewildering change in
routine and environment. Its relationship with the
owner changes. Things become unfamiliar or
stressful and the cat may become unhappy or
depressed.
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