What Your Cat’s Behavior Might Be Telling You (That You’re Missing)
Your cat might not be misbehaving—they might be mirroring your energy. Here's what to watch for (and how to help).
Hey Whisker Crew,
I used to think my cat’s “bad” behavior was just… bad behavior. 🙃
You know—knocking things over, biting, or scratching furniture.
But after this week’s podcast interview with Melissa Sherman, I see it differently. And honestly, it’s changed how I show up for my cats.
Melissa is an animal communicator, energy healer, and holistic pet health expert. But more than that—she’s someone who truly listens to what cats are trying to tell us. And sometimes? Their message is loud and clear… we just miss it.
Listen to this audio clip about what your cat’s behavior might be telling you, with Melissa Sherman.
🐈 The behavior isn’t the problem—it’s the signal.
Here’s the core idea that really has me thinking:
Unwanted behavior is often a cry for help—not a cat being “spiteful.”
Your cat might be peeing outside the litter box because:
🩺 They’re in pain
😿 They’re grieving
😣 They’re stressed
💥 Or… they’re picking up on YOUR stress.
💡 Melissa’s Advice: Look at yourself first.
Before trying to “fix” your cat, Melissa suggests pausing to ask:
Has anything changed in your home?
Has your energy changed?
Are you grieving? Anxious? Going through something tough?
Cats are incredibly sensitive to our emotions. If you’re coming home frazzled every day (been there!), your cat might mirror that tension—through behavior that seems random but is actually a response to stress in the environment.
🎧 This week’s podcast:
Why Your Cat’s Behavior Might Be a Cry for Help
with Melissa Sherman of Calming Creek
🎙️ Listen on Spotify, Apple, or Substack
Click here to listen to the full episode now
✅ Try This at Home: 4 Simple Steps
Melissa shared a few small, powerful things you can try today:
1. Play intentionally.
Not just tossing a toy—really engage. Channel their hunt instinct and help them release energy.
2. Meditate with your cat.
Just 5 minutes of quiet time together. Sit. Breathe. Observe. Bonus points if you journal what you notice. You can also do a walking meditation outside by yourself and look for something, such as 10 trees or 3 blue things. This is helpful if you’re new to meditation.
3. Reset before you walk in the door.
Take 3 deep breaths in your car or on the porch. Let go of your stress before walking into your cat’s world.
4. Look at the whole picture.
Your cat’s physical, emotional, and energetic health are all connected. And so is yours.
🧡 What I’m trying this week:
After talking with Melissa, I’m:
Making playtime with Niko and Milo more intentional—not just reactive
Taking 3 breaths before walking in the door after a stressful day
Paying attention to how my energy might be affecting their moods
I want my cats to feel safe, calm, and supported—even when life gets busy or heavy.
🐾 This week’s Cattitude Prompt:
What’s one small shift you can make to support your cat’s emotional or energetic well-being this week?
Maybe it’s a short play session, a new calm bedtime ritual, or even just catching yourself when you’re bringing home stress.
Let me know in the comments 💬 or hit reply—I’d love to hear.
🌟 Bonus Shout-Out:
Melissa offers a 4-week live program called The Conscious Cat Parent that helps you build a more peaceful, holistic life with your cat. 🧘♀️🐈
Learn more at calmingcreek.com or follow her on Instagram: @calmingcreekhealing
Thanks for reading, thanks for showing up for your cats, and thanks for being part of the Golden Whiskers family.
💛 Scott | Golden Whiskers 🐾
“Snuggle the stress away.”
This is great! I have heard before that playing in a way that triggers the hunting instinct helps with certain behaviors… but these other tips are new to me, yet make total sense! I have realized that my Cookie can sense how I’m feeling. When I’m sad, even if I don’t think I’m displaying my emotions, she will almost always either climb onto my lap or push herself as close against my side as catly possible and purr. That said it’s understandable that she can pick up on stress as well.
I have been trying to figure out what the heck is going on with her and my husband. She loves to attack his legs and feet, but this only happens at night, when we are getting ready for bed or if he gets up in the middle of the night. She never bite me or any of our four kids. I babysat in my home for years and she never bit those kids either… it’s JUST him. To clarify, she will touch her teeth to my hand on occasion, if she’s had enough cuddles or pets, but she has never sunk her teeth in. He frequently has marks on the back of his legs because she’s drawing blood. Also, it’s only been going on for the past year or so. She turned 17 mid-March.
For a while, I thought it was something he was doing wrong since the aggression was only aimed at him. I have also thought that she can pick up on the fact that he’s not a cat person. Then I started googling it and most articles seem to say that if your cat shows their belly, turns their back to you, or slowly blinks at you, they like and trust you. I’ve been paying more attention and noticed she does all of these things around him. If he’s petting her, she closes her eyes and purrs. This is a good thing but I’m still perplexed about the biting. Any ideas?