Cats have a body language all of their own.
They use their eyes, ears, tail and whole body to get a message across at times.
They will also use psychological tactics to let you know what is going on, just as we do.
I'm sure we have all been given the 'cold shoulder' by friends, especially when we were at school.
It can also happen in the workplace when work colleagues seem to ignore us for some reason we can't work out.
Well, your cat will do the same thing.
She will ignore you, and it is up to you to work out why.
At work you can ask questions.
Not so with your cat who has suddenly turned her nose and tail in the air and walked off when you bent down to stroke her.
Cats will ignore you for a variety of reasons.
Perhaps you went shopping and she was left on her own all day.
Maybe you went out in the evening to a meeting, or a show.
You might have been late in feeding her, or even fed her something she didn't feel like today.
She will ignore you as punishment for your perceived wrongs.
If you left her alone too long, she will do the same back to you.
If she didn't like what you fed her, she will show her displeasure by ignoring you.
She may even make a 'present' of it on your carpet.
Cats are very intelligent and know what they're doing.
And they only do things for a reason.
By ignoring you, she is seeking justice for what you have done.
Cassie is very good at this.
I am a member of many community organisations so have a number of evening meetings to attend each month.
Every time I come home late, she is sitting there looking at me with what I imagine to be a disapproving look.
Almost as though she is my mother and demanding to know where I've been.
Then, she will turn her back on me and walk off.
As I know what I've done wrong, I know what to do.
I follow her back to her 'place' and talk to her to apologise.
It might only take a few minutes, but she has made her point.
Sometimes you cannot work out just what is wrong.
You haven't fed her too late or the wrong food, you've been home all day and night, you've talked to her and played with her during the day.
Yet suddenly, she's ignoring you and nothing you say will get her attention.
During these times she has gone off into her own world and is daydreaming.
Just like we do.
Whatever the reason, your cat is upset with you, ignores you and leaves you to work it out.
And ignoring her back doesn't work, as it breaks down the bond you have.
Your cat is waiting for you to find out what you have done wrong, and it isn't hard to imagine her pleasure as you try to figure it out.
Done correctly, you can make it into a game.
But to do this, you need to know and understand your cat really well.