The belly is off-limits

Just because your dog likes a good belly rub doesn’t mean your cat wants one too. A cat’s stomach is her most vulnerable spot, and if you touch it, she’ll probably get defensive. If she shows you her belly, chances are she’s just really comfortable — so don’t ruin it by making the wrong move.

Her purr might not mean what you think

You probably take your cat’s purr to mean all is right in her world, but that’s not always the case. Yes, it can mean she’s happy, but she may also purr when she’s nervous, sick or feeling cornered.

She needs to scratch

Your cat isn’t scratching up your furniture as part of some giant revenge plot — I promise. She just can’t help it. Cats need to scratch for a variety of reasons, including claw maintenance, territory-marking and exercise. Save your furniture by making sure she has something to scratch that meets your approval.