cats/food

[eileenb]

why does 1 of my cats 'mug' me when i'm peeling potatoes,he insists that he's given the peel whether its washed or not.or i get the claws! ouch :o)

[Kit]

Some cats have some pretty strange food fads. My brother's cat eats peas out of the saucepan, and mine likes curry (spends a long time lickong his chops afterwards, though.) The other reason may be that potato peelings are fun to play with - what does he do with the peelings when he's got them?

[eileenb]

he eats them,he also likes mash as well but not too keen on chips ! yes 1 of the other cats(got 4) likes mushy peas as well.and not to be left out the dog likes cat food.

[rekstout]

Being a dog person and not a cat person - could you explain what "mugging" is in feline terms?

I presume your cat does not hit you over the head with the saucepan and steal your cash and jewellery - although I wouldnt put it past them, untrustworthy buggers! I tell you - give them opposable thumbs and they'll take over the world!

[Kit]

Actually, rekstout, if they had opposable thumbs they'd spend their time on their mobiles arranging for someone else to take over the world for them... Mugging (at least in our household) takes various forms. There is vocal harrassment, which consists of following you about yowling incessantly until you give in to their demands. Then there is veiled physical threat, which consists of pawing at your leg with just enough force to hint at what havoc they could wreak on your delicate skin if they chose to extend their claws a few millimetres further. They occasionally try the friendly approach, gently but firmly invading your personal space and wiping their cold noses on anything warm and, preferably, bare. Finally, there is psychological torture, which consists of just Being There and staring. They can even stare with their back turned. A variation on this, which has been copied by dogs, is to sit in front of important visitors and start washing - they will, of course, decide to wash their bits at the most crucial part of your important conversation. I once saw two cats in a Greek restaurant working this one as a double act - one would start licking enthusiastically, while the other one explained that he'd get his mate to stop washing as soon as they got a snack, and I think that bit of kalamari might just persuade him...

[MrPooHead]

Because cats are naturally mentally infirm.

[rekstout]

Thanks Kit - my dog doesn't do that but my wife does ;-)

[rekstout]

Except for the washing of parts in front of strangers - as far as I know...