Hi, I’m Dr. Maja! Read my introduction to learn more about me and Miki, the kitten who made me a cat person.
Living with three cats (and three dogs) in the middle of nowhere, visitors are not a common sight. Once a week, someone will come around, like family members, friends, or local hunters passing by, but this means my cats are not very used to having guests. They do respond to strangers very differently, and generally, besides Miki, it often seems like there is no cat in sight, let alone three.
Miki Acts As a Watch Dog
Interestingly, as Miki is more used to people coming to the house and doing construction work, he shows a degree of curiosity whenever someone new arrives. Even if he is away from the house, in the woods, or hunting in the fields, he will rush back home when he hears a car pull up. He will make an appearance, but will keep a safe distance. Sometimes, he may even growl or make threatening noises if he dislikes the sounds made by the visitors.
Many of my friends know of Miki from the pictures I regularly share on social media, but most get disappointed as he won’t come close for a cuddle. If there are more regular visitors, like frequent friends and family, whom he knows, he will allow being picked up and cuddled. I prefer him to be on the cautious side, as I wouldn’t want him easily approaching strangers, especially when I’m not around.
Minnie Likes to Make Friends
Minnie is the most social and outgoing of the three of them, but mostly when she’s inside. If she is out in the garden when visitors come, she will hide and observe from a distance. She does come when called and will allow being picked up, but often she isn’t thrilled to begin with. In the first few months, she was more trusting and would greet strangers instantly. Now, maybe looking up to Miki and Nara, she has started to be more vigilant. However, if she is inside and someone comes to visit, within a few hours, she will be in their lap, head-butting them and trying to become their best friend.
Nara Is Nowhere to Be Found
Nara is more like a mystery cat. Besides me and my mum, there are only a handful of people who have seen her in person. She will hide instantly as soon as she hears commotion that indicates a car is coming, or strange voices approaching. And her favorite hiding place is behind the sink inside the kitchen cabinet. I hear a bit of cutlery noise and immediately know she is there. If she gets a chance, she will rush up to the loft next. It took weeks for her to feel comfortable enough not to be in hiding when my mum would visit. I suspect she will continue being this shy and cautious, as she is very slow at gaining trust in people. With me, it was more than a month before she started coming for cuddles and jumping up in my lap.
Where Are the Cats?
I often get teased by my guests, so where are all these cats you speak of and send pictures of? Well, they are around. That’s the interesting part about having cats: they really just do their own thing, whatever that is. And they are so good at hiding and staying hidden if that’s what they want, despite being very close by. As much as I would sometimes like them to be more outgoing and relaxed with new people, I am genuinely grateful that they are this way, as it means less chance of entering someone’s car or being picked up by strangers, although the latter would be quite unlikely where we are.
I find it’s important to respect their wishes, and if they choose to remain unseen, that’s how it’s going to be. I never force them to interact with any friends or their children, no matter how disappointed they may get, as I want my cats to feel safe and relaxed in their own home. If they choose to come and say hello, that’s great, and if they don’t, then that’s how it’s going to be.
- Read her previous article: Cats and Bonding: What Is Allogrooming?
- Read her next article: The “Old” Leading the Young: How Miki Teaches the Kittens
Miki Acts As a Watch Dog
