Do I correct this growl?

[dafzichu]

Mindy doesn't often growl. Althought she is high strung, she is generally easy going. That being said, she has a best kitty friend named Petey and they are inseparable, they love each other and are constantly fawning over each other. Some nights I let Petey sleep in bed with us, because for the most part, Mindy likes her to cuddle up with her. But, sometimes Petey will wake Mindy out of a sleep by rubbing against her and Mindy will give her a growl. If Petey doesn't go away and leave her sleep, she will give her a snap. After the snap the cat always leaves her be. There is nothing aggressive about the growl or snap, Mindy seems to be simply telling her she wants to be left alone.

I am not sure if I should correct her with a stern 'No' when she does this. I certainly don't want to train her to not give any warnings. I also generally feel that her reactions are appropriate and the cat also seems to understand. But I could be wrong?

 

[K8IE]

If there is truly nothing aggressive about it, I personally wouldn't worry. All animals have their limits, and their own ways of communicating when they don't like what another animal is doing, and like you said, the cat seems to eventually "get it". It sounds like Mindy does try to give the more "subtle" warning first (the growl) and if it goes ignored she has no choice but to offer the next level warning (snap) to get her point across. I know how cats can be, sometimes they are pretty thick when it comes to purring and rubbing and wanting attention and it can be hard for them to "get the clue" when enough is enough.

 

[Lola's mum]

Lola growls at the boys if they disturb her or brush against her while she's sleeping. It's a warning growl I know and she can be so crotchety, I do say her name sternly though as I don't like it.

 

[EAO76]

Trucker used to growl at the other two when they stepped over him (instead of walking around) when he was sleeping. I asked our behaviorist about it (because Trucker does have some aggression issues) and she said to let it go. She said that he was just communicating a “buzz off” type of warning. In our case the other dogs learned to walk around him so we no longer have the problem.

But if she growls at you in bed for moving her or bumping her then that is something to be concerned with.

 

[Chiefsmom]

Chief growls at Sam all the time; but it's either affectionate or playful (with him at least! ) As long as there is no harmful intent behind the growl... I wouldn't worry about it! If it's because he's upset.... I just wait to see if Sam pursues whatever he might be upset over! Most of the time... He's just communicating ... "knock it off! I'm trying to sleep!"