It is easy for us to assume that our pets have the same experiences that we do. Sure they’re only 12 inches tall and they don’t have thumbs, but they have eyes and ears, right?
Well, it doesn’t quite work that way. Our cats have evolved visual and auditory abilities that leave us in the dust. Most people are aware that cats have a phenomenal ability to see in the dark. They aren’t “nocturnal”, they are actually crepuscular, meaning their periods of activity are when the sun is in a twilight stage. While I think a lot of people are aware that cats have different visual skills than we have. I’m not so sure that people are generally aware that cats have a really different experience when it comes to hearing and smells
Hearing
Cats can hear better than we can. They can even hear better than dogs can. It turns out that rodents make ultrasonic noises, and cats can hear them.These are noises that nobody every imagined, until some researcher somewhere figured it out.
Next time you 
laugh because the vacuum cleaner sends them scurrying under the bed, stop and think. What if you could hear whatever noises that machine makes at a range1.6 octaves HIGHER than your current hearing ability? They must constantly be hearing things that we are completely unaware of.
Smelling
A cat has a sense of smell about fourteen times more powerful than a human’s. 
Cats actually use smell a lot when it comes to communication. We are experts at talking, and they are experts at making smells and interpreting them! Communicating through scent is the reason why they rub their heads on things, scratch their claws on things and spray on things. It doesn’t make sense to us, but then again we are able to make jokes and share stories. Ever try to tell a cat a knock-knock joke?
Why They Do What They Do
So think about it, when your cat is acting weird, jumpy, frightened or excited, it isn’t because your cat is “psycho”. It’s because your cat is having an entirely different view of the world than you are.
The Meat of the Matter
Because your cat experiences the world in a very different way than you do, it is important to be aware of her perspective when considering her behavior. It is essential to have this view point, and this is why Animal Behavior Consultants are so valuable.
Pam Johnson-Bennett is a widely published, well-known feline behaviorist. Her approach is friendly, supportive, warm and understanding. I really appreciate that she has written books specifically targeted to some common issues, and her book Cat vs. Cat: Keeping Peace When You Have More Than One Cat is a must read if you are considering adding a cat, or dealing with whatever is happening now that you already have. I first got this book at my local library, and then I bought it. This is Pam’s official website.
Jackson Galaxy is powerhousing into public awareness right now with an Animal Planet reality TV show, My Cat From Hell. The show demonstrates the problems and Jackson’s solutions in a way that you can apply to your own lives. I often get the feeling that Jackson’s involvement may actually be acting as occasional couple’s therapy, too. Here is Jackson’ Galaxy’s blog.
The Best Life Possible
As a cat owner, I want to give my pets the best experience possible.
I want them to be comfortable, content, relaxed, and stimulated. I want them to poop in the right place, I don’t want them to fight or destroy my furniture, and I don’t want them to be dangerous. I absolutely recommend learning more about cats, and Cat Behavior Specialists can help so much!
