Since it's National Kitten Day, even though one might argue my cat is no longer a kitten, I accept the excuse to talk about her for a bit.
1. Ask for what you need. My cat figured out that when I am in the desk chair, or, um sometimes when I am sleeping, I may not realize there is a cat standing near me who is in dire need of attention. (The horror.) And so she had figured out that she can gently tap my shoulder and I will (usually) respond by petting her.
2. Observe routines. My cat has also learned that I am busy if the water in the sink is running, but when the water goes off I usually turn around and also sometimes a meow can helpfully remind me that there might be a cat who needs attention. Or water. Or both.
3. It's important to be cozy. My cat is good at finding spots in the squishiest part of the pile of blankets, or on the pillow on top of another pillow on the couch.
4. Don't eat food you don't like. There are exceptions for humans, some social scenarios where one probably should eat some of the food. But if she tries it and it's not her thing, she just walks away. There are a few flavors she's tried and after a few minutes come back to. But in many cases if it's nother thing, she just won't eat it.
5. Ask again and again. Sometimes when I am say writing, my cat will jump up beside me, and ask for pets. I will give them, but them go back to writing. She will walk away and then leap up beside me again. And so we repeat the process.
6. Sometimes you need a break from all that stimulation. My cat is very good at taking herself away from all the noise and curling up under the bed or more often in a spot in the closet. And then when she's ready for attention again, she will reappear.
7. Nap if you need it. Cats eat a lot of protein and their digestive systems require a lot of energy to digest. So they nap a lot. Napping is a good practice.
