There are many odd things that cats do that only cat owners will understand. Being on the receiving end of a lifeless mouse or frequently having your drink knocked off the table, for example, is all part of the experience.
There is still a lot that experts don’t know about cats but we know enough to know that certain behaviors mean your cat is comfortable or that there is something wrong.
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Read on to get a glimpse into the secret lives of cats and to find out what certain unusual behaviors mean your feline friend is trying to communicate with you
Cats love to interrupt whatever it is you are doing by lying across the area where you are working. Whether you have a book open or are typing away on your laptop, they won’t hesitate to clamber on top.
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This is a cat’s way of ordering you to stop paying attention to whatever it is you are doing and to instead pay attention to them. By coming between you and the object you are engaging with, they command you stroke and pet them instead.
Why Cats Ignore You
Cats are intelligent beings but they are also undeniably stubborn. When you call a dog’s name, he will come bounding up to you but when you call a cat’s name, they will more likely ignore you altogether.
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How Cats Find Comfort
When kittens are born, they press on their mother’s mammary glands while drinking her milk. This prompts the mother to produce more so they can keep drinking.
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This instinct stays with the cat even after they become fully grown cats. Adult cats often associate the soft parts of your body with the comforts of their mother and so they knead these parts with their paws. Experts generally believe that they do this either when they are content or when they are seeking stress relief.
Why Cats Sniff You
Cats are curious creatures and love to get a whiff of those around them. If your cat suddenly gets up close, it is because they want to get a sniff of your unique scent. This could be because they are looking for a comforting, familiar scent.
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Your face is an easy place for cats to get a whiff and reminds them that you are there and not a stranger. Breathing in your scent therefore helps cats relax and feel at ease with you.
Why Cats Chew On Plastic
If your cat suddenly starts showing an interest in chewing things that aren’t food, it may be time to take a trip to the vet.
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Chewing plastic is a sign of a condition called “pica”. Experts believe that cats chew objects as a sign of anxiety and stress or because they are suffering from nutritional problems. If your cat does this frequently, it can be very bad for their digestive system and you should probably seek advice from a professional.
How Cats Show Frustration
If your cat is eyeing up a bird outside the window, its intense glare may be accompanied by a quick chattering sound.
Experts believe that this chattering is a sound of frustration. The cat can see that the bird is there and wants to catch it, but equally knows that the window is preventing the catch.
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Other experts, however, believe that this is a natural instinct and that the chattering warms up the muscles of the cat before they chase their prey.
How Cats Open Up To You
When it comes to human behavior, turning your back and displaying your backend is a definite sign of rejection and rudeness. When your cat does it, however, they are actually displaying their trust and are permitting you to come closer.
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How Cats Attempt To Play
Cats like to lie down on their backs and roll around. They only do this when they feel comfortable as displaying their belly is a sign of vulnerability.
Often when they do this they are stretching but equally, it may be an attempt to engage you in a game. Experts think that cats roll around like this when they want to play.
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That said, they might equally just be marking their territory by depositing their scent on your nice new rug.
Why Cats Cry at Night
While you are fast asleep, your cat is usually prowling around the house. They are far more active at night which is usually not a problem, until they start wailing loudly and wake you up.
These wails occur when a cat is trying to catch prey inside the house. If they cannot find any mice or insects to leap on, they might cry out of frustration.
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There isn’t much you can do to stop this wailing other than play with your cat during the day so it gets tired out at night and sleeps when you do.
Why Cats Play Hide and Seek
If you have a cat, we bet that you have found it curled up at one point or another in a small hiding place. Whether it’s in a box or under the sink, cats often pick these strange small places over the bigger and more comfortable spots in the house.
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Cats do this because it makes them feel safe. In the wild, cats hide in small spaces like caves when they feel threatened. This instinct is still active even when they are domesticated.
Signs Your Cat is Restless
Occasionally, cats come charging into the room at top speed. This is because cats have an awful lot of energy and it needs to be discharged somehow.
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Housebound cats don’t hunt and so they can easily get restless. One way to release their energy is with this sudden burst of intense activity. If your cat is doing this frequently, take the time to play with it a little more so that it can use up some of its restless energy.
When Your Cat Brings You Gifts
At one point or another, every owner has to deal with their cat bringing a dead bird or mouse at their feet. This is totally gross but it’s also a sweet sentiment. Your cat is actually bringing you a gift.
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When Your Cat Is Relaxed
When cats lie back with their legs open, it is a sign that they are comfortable and feel relaxed in your company.
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Sprawling their legs out like this makes them vulnerable, especially when their tummy is exposed. They will only adopt this position when they are absolutely sure that there is no threat around. If your cat does this often, it means they are likely very comfortable in your home and are probably pretty content and relaxed in general. So good job!
How Cats Warn You There is a Problem
In the wild, cats instinctively cover up their droppings so that predators cannot track down their scent. They also do this in their litter box, which is handy because it means you don’t have to.
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If your cat stops doing this though, it could be a sign of a problem. The problem could be something as simple as the litter box type or it could be that your cat is feeling stressed or anxious. They may even be trying to warn you that there is a problem with their health.
How Cats Warn You They Are Agitated
In addition to communicating with their eyes, cats often communicate with their ears. If they start twitching them back and forth, you should probably back away because your cat is likely feeling agitated.
If your cat points its ears forward, however, it is likely feeling content. This means that you can approach your cat as normal. If they are pointed backwards or flat against their head though, your cat is feeling irritated or defensive.
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Always watch your cat’s ears if you want to know what kind of mood they are in.
When Cats Attack Your Feet
Another strange thing that cats like to do is pounce on your feet. You can be sitting there doing absolutely nothing when out of the blue, they jump at you.
Although this attack can catch you off guard, it does not mean they are feeling aggressive. Instead, they are just trying to play with you or want to practice pounding.
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If you don’t like this game, hand your kitty a toy for them to play with instead and they should leave you alone
Cat’s Can Sense That Someone’s Dying
While there’s no scientific proof that cats can predict death, there are some curious anecdotes. Take Oscar, a therapy cat who gained fame in 2007 for curling up next to patients hours before they passed away. So, are cats sensing impending death or just scouting for a cozy, quiet nap spot?
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Cats have a remarkable sense of smell and are highly attuned to changes in their environment, which might explain their behavior. Whether or not they have this eerie sixth sense, one thing’s for sure: their presence is comforting and offers emotional support.
Why Cats Like Sleeping in Sinks
House cats’ habit of sleeping in bathroom sinks is hard to explain. While it may seem strange, there are a handful of theories for why cats find this spot cozy.
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Using a Gravity Feeder
Using a gravity feeder for your cat is like having an all-you-can-eat buffet that never runs out. It’s a stress-free way for your feline friend to munch whenever they feel like it. You don’t have to worry about sticking to a schedule because these feeders keep the bowl full at all times.
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Just make sure your cat isn’t overeating because with this contraption, they can choose how much food they get given.
Why Your Cat Sleeps Curled Up
Cats love to sleep, far more than most humans do. And it turns out that their sleeping position has more meaning than just being super cute. If your cat likes to sleep in the “fox position”, all curled up into a ball, here’s why.
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In the wild, foxes wrap their tails around their bodies and cover their faces to stay warm. While your cat is not a fox or a wild animal, they resort to this tactic for the exact same reason—to keep the heat close to their bodies.
Cat Scraps
Much like humans, cats aren’t immune to a bout of drama every now and again. Their primal instincts mean that territory is very important to them, so when a fellow kitty gets in their way, the only thing to do is attack.
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Why Your Cat Sleeps More Than You Do
If your kitten is sleeping for most of the day, do not worry. When kittens sleep, they release growth hormones. These are essential for their development hence why young cats always seem to be dozing.
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As adults, cats tend to sleep a lot too because dozing saves energy. This is an instinct evolved from being in the wild as they would need to expend their energy when hunting. If they always seem to be asleep though, you could try playing with it a little more as it might just be sleeping out of boredom.
Why Your Cat Isn’t Listening
Cats are very intelligent animals. They’re great at understanding body language, but—as much as you might wish this wasn’t the case—they don’t understand actual words. If you want to discipline your cat without confusing them, this is what you have to do.
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Cats react to emotion, not desires. So if you’re trying to tell them not to jump on the counter but you’re using a soft voice, they won’t understand. Be firm in your tone and they’ll understand better.
Why Your Cat Purrs
Oddly enough, purring is one of the noises cats make that scientists know less about than any other cat noise. We have collectively learned to assume that purring is a sign your cat is happy and relaxed.
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Purring is a form of communication for your feline friend. It doesn’t always necessarily mean they are relaxed and sometimes means the opposite. Purring calms them down when they are feeling stressed as the vibrations soothe them. This is also why when your cat curls up on you and purrs, you start to feel your worries slide away soon.
When Your Cat Follows You To The Bathroom
Considering how independent cats consider themselves to be, they can display some pretty needy kinds of behavior. For example, they occasionally follow you into the bathroom when you were planning on doing your business alone.
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Experts aren’t quite sure why cats do this but they suspect that it is a comfort thing. Cats can feel vulnerable without their owners so they might like to keep close by. Other experts reckon they are just curious and want to see what’s going on behind closed doors.
When Your Cat Wags Its Tail
When dogs wag their tails back and forth, it means they’re happy and excited to see you. This is not the case for cats, who wag their tales when they want to be left alone.
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The swishing motion means they are annoyed so the best thing you can do is to stay away. If its tail is twitching, however, this means they are interested in something that is going on around them. The twitching is a sign that they are focused or are playing close attention to something nearby.
Why Your Cat Hisses
Most people instinctively know that a hissing cat is not a happy cat. They usually hiss when they are angry or when they are feeling irritated.
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Sometimes though, they hiss when they are feeling afraid. If they feel threatened by a stranger in the house or another animal, they hiss to let you know that they are feeling on edge. If you hear the hissing sound, it’s best to stay away because they would rather calm themselves down than have you pet them
Why Your Cat Likes Knocking Things Off The Table
If you’re a cat owner, we’d be willing to bet money on your cat having stuck out its paw unexpectedly and knocked over your drink off the table. Whether it’s wine, water or a steaming cup of coffee, you have probably watched your cat throw it to the ground.
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Watch Where Your Cat Litters
Cats are clean animals and usually do their business in a litter box and even cover it up after. If they litter outside of the box, it is a sign that there is a problem.
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Hopefully, it just means your cat doesn’t like the litter box or its location. Before you panic, try changing the box and moving it to a different part of the house. If this doesn’t change anything, it’s time to take your kitty to the vets as there may be an underlying health problem.
Why Your Cat Loves Catnip
Catnip is a leafy plant that makes cats go absolutely crazy. They roll around and make noises that you’ve never heard them make before.
The reason for this is that catnip contains nepetalactone. This is an oil that cat noses react to and they feel extreme joy and even hallucinate. Basically, catnip gets your kitty high!
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The effects usually last around ten minutes and even big cats like lions and tigers get affected by the plant. If you’re enjoying a drink or two in the evening and wish your cat could join you, catnip is the closest thing to getting your feline friend drunk.
How Cats Say “I Love You”
Cats make a lot of gestures with their eyes which leads experts to believe that they are using their peepers to communicate.
If a cat is staring at you, it most likely means that they are trying to get your attention. If they stare too long and intensely though, they could be threatening you. In this case, it’s best not to stare back.
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If they look at you and blink slowly, however, they are telling you they love you, in their own special cat way.
Why Your Cats Bites Its Nails
Biting your nails is a bad habit that people often do when they are anxious. When cats bite their nails, it is more often than not for the same reason.
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Sometimes though, cats bite their nails out of boredom. They also may just be grooming themselves. If they bite their nails excessively though, it might be a sign that there is something wrong. It could mean that your cat is suffering from a parasite or infection that is causing them to anxiously gnaw on their nails.
When Your Cat Sleeps On Your Chest
There are few things more comforting than lying down after a hard day of work and finding your cat has crawled up onto your chest for a nap.
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You can trust that the feeling of comfort you get from this is shared. Your cat does this because they feel comfortable sleeping close to you. They like the way you smell, the movement of your breath and the warmth of your body. This mutual feeling of comfort is one of the most lovely things about being a cat owner.
When Your Cat Bites
When your cat bites you, it isn’t because it hates you. It means that they are angry or stressed and are desperate to get your attention.
Sometimes, they just want you to know that they are feeling this way or maybe they are just trying to play with you. Other times though, they may be afraid and are biting as a self-defense mechanism.
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In the wild, your cat would use biting as a way to express themselves.
Why Cats Are Sneaky
Cats are sneaky creatures and slink around the house, surprising you at the last minute. They run around corners, poking their head around the furniture then suddenly appearing somewhere else.
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Domesticated cats still have a strong desire to hunt, even though there is nothing to hunt in the house. Practicing this behavior indoors is instinct and helps them when they do go outside. They also use this sneaky behavior to hunt scraps of food you may have left lying around the house.
Why Your Cat Snacks On Grass
Cats enjoy a diet of gourmet tuna but occasionally they enjoy something green. This is why your cat sometimes feast on grass.
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Although cats enjoy munching on grass, they cannot digest it and so it causes them to vomit. This can actually be very good for them as it clears out their system. When they are having digestion problems, they might do this deliberately. Furthermore, the juices in grass contain folic acid. This vitamin is very good for your kitty so you really have nothing to worry about.
When Your Cat Paws At Its water
Not all cats are the same and although many hate water, some actually quite like it. One way that some cats like to play is by pawing at their water bowl.
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Some cats prefer to drink water when it is moving. This is probably an instinct from the wild as water from rivers would be fresher. As a result, they like to splash around in the water to create the effect of a spring. They are probably just trying to play though.
When Your Cat Meows Cutely
Cats make their distinct “meow” sound as a way of communicating with you. When they make a cute little meow, this is their special way of saying hello.
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When your cat makes this adorable sound, give it some attention because that is what it is after. This is the time your cat will be responsive to a pet or a little head rub. Instead of walking away, your cat will look very happy and will bathe in your affection, making you fall even more in love with them.
When Your Cat Meows Loudly
A cat’s meow can communicate many things and you can guess these things by the volume. While a small meow means hello, a loud meow often means your cat wants something – like food.
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Cats meow like this when they are hungry but they also do this when need your help. They could be stuck somewhere or are feeling trapped and want to be let out the house. If your cat continues to make this sound, it may be feeling unwell. In this case, it could be worth taking them to the vet for a check-up.
Be Aware Of Head Pressing Against The Wall
A strange cat behavior you may be curious about is why cats randomly press their heads against the wall or other hard objects. When pressing their heads in this way, they often make odd sounds which they do not usually make.
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Your cat isn’t doing it because they think they are being punished—this behavior is not normal and is a sign for concern. Head pressing in this way can be a sign that there is damage to the nervous system. This could be from trauma, a tumor, or poisoning. Get your cat checked out by the vet immediately.
Why Your Cat Stands On Its Hind Legs
When your cat stands on its hind legs, it is evolution at work. They have adapted to do this to make themselves look bigger, warding off potential predators.
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There may be no wild predators in the house, but that doesn’t mean your cat will never feel threatened. They adopt this position naturally when they are feeling defensive. Other times though, they do this because they are reaching for a treat. Either way, it’s not something to worry about but you should probably stay back just in case.
When Your Cat Scratches Everything
There are few things in life that are certain but one thing we can know for sure is that cats love a good scratch.
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Cats love scratching so much that they will happily ignore the scratch post you bought them and tear up your new sofa instead. But why do they do this? It is usually to remove the uncomfortable dead layer of their claws. It feels good for them to scratch and it also deposits their scent and so it marks their territory. If you want to keep your sofa safe from your cat’s claws, get them a scratching post instead and encourage them to use it.
Why Your Cat Stretches So Much
Everyone loves a good stretch. No one loves a good stretch more than your cat though. And this is why they do it all the time.
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Stretching gets the blood flowing and increases their blood pressure. It also has the benefit of pushing out toxins from their muscles. Mostly though, they do it because it feels so darn good. Cats nap a lot and so they like to have a stretch after. They only stretch when they feel comfortable and safe though, so if your cat keeps stretching, you are doing something right.
Why Your Cat Lands On Its Feet
Cats are known for landing on their feet. This is because they have extra vertebrae in their spine. In other words, they have a flexible backbone so they can twist their body when they are falling.
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Furthermore, cats have a great sense of balance. Combined with their light bodies and thick fur, they are adapted to fall and land gracefully. Landing on all fours is an evolved trait which is why cats can land properly when they are as young as six weeks old.
How Cats Say Hello
Cats are always bumping their face against your legs or your face and it’s usually a sign of affection. Experts believe that a head-butt from a cat is just their own friendly way of saying hello. It’s not aggressive and it’s a sign that they like you.
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If a cat head-butts you like this, it means they trust you. By bumping against you they transfer their pheromones which marks you as their own. This territory marking behavior is known as “bunting”.
When Your Cat Lifts Its Read End
Every now and then, cats will abruptly stick their back-end high in the air. They often do this when you are petting them but it doesn’t mean they want you to stop! It actually means the opposite.
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They do this move to show you they are enjoying the attention they are receiving. The gesture shows you have hit just the right spot and they want more. When your cat does this, be reassured that you are doing an excellent job as its affectionate owner.
Why Your Cat Sleeps In A Tight Ball
Curling up in a tight ball is a way for your cat to keep warm and snug. It also makes them feel safe as it protects their belly and organs when they are vulnerable.
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In the wild, this is the best way for them to sleep as it protects them from the cold and predators. Even indoors, cats have this instinct so don’t be surprised if they curl up in a tight bowl even when you have given them a warm, safe bed.
Why Your Cat Bounces Off the Walls
Jumping up and down off furniture, darting from room to room, and going wild, are just some of the ways cats let out energy. And once you put catnip in the equation, things can get even crazier.
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Keep in mind that bouncing off the walls can lead to injuries, so make sure your home is as cat-proof as possible. Another thing you can do is find other ways to channel your cats’ energy like by playing games with them and getting them toys.
Why Your Cat Presents Its Butt
Chances are you’ve had your cat stick its butt right in your face. While it’s kind of gross, your cat is actually doing it because it likes you. They’re actually greeting you!
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When cats greet each other, they rub their bodies against one another, moving in opposite directions, which starts from head-to-head and ends with their butts facing each other because their signature scent is found there. That’s exactly what they’re doing to you when they slide along your body.
Why Cats Cover Poop
Cats are one of the cleanest animals as they cover their pee and poop after they finish using the litter box. But why do they do it?
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Covering their poop is something cats learn from their mothers and it’s believed that the reasoning for this behavior is based on survival. In the wild, cats are prey to bigger wild animals, so they would bury their waste to hide their location from predators. Domestic cats are mimicking this behavior. If they aren’t burying their poop, it may be because they may be letting other cats or their owner know they are there. Additionally, if their litter box is too small for them to comfortably turn around, they don’t like the feel of the cat litter, or the box is too dirty, your cat may leave it’s poop uncovered.
Why Your Cat Covers Its Food
Have you noticed your cats scratching, pawing, or kneading the ground around their food bowl before or after they finish eating?
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This behavior is actually an instinct because in the wild and like cats do with poop, they bury their food to prevent predators from finding them. It’s similar to “food catching”, which big cats do when storing food high in trees to keep it away from lions and hyenas. Female cats that are nursing their kittens, do this to prevent other cats from finding their litter.
Why Your Cat Licks Itself
Did you know that cats spend up to 50% of their waking hours grooming? This behavior relates to how the cat’s mother’s first task after she gives birth is to remove the amniotic sac and lick the kittens to help stimulate breathing. When the kittens start nursing, she gives their butts a massage to help with bowel movements.
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Kittens mimic their mother’s behavior and they start self-grooming which prevents injuries, hides their scent from predators, lubricates their coat and skin, and gives them pleasure. However, it can become obsessive and it can lead to bald patches and skin sores.
When Cats Chew Your Hair
Not only do cats groom themselves and other cats, but they also groom their owner’s hair. And when your cat grooms you, they’re trying to share their scent with you by targeting your “furry parts”.
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Your cat is likely to continue doing it if they receive reinforcement, which could be talking to them or moving your head towards them while they’re grooming you. Sometimes, the behavior can be aggressive and they can pull out your hair while doing it.
Why Your Cat Licks You
Many people assume that cats lick or kiss them to show love, which is pretty accurate—licking is a sign of affection. Not only do mother cats lick their kittens to groom them, but cats also lick themselves to groom and they lick each other to show affection.
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In addition to showing affection, cats lick humans to mark their territory and to show their owners that they are part of their cat family. But in some cases, licking behaviors may be a sign that your cat is anxious or stressed or they notice that you’re feeling that way.
When Cats Wrap Their Tails Around You
So, why does your cat wrap their tail around you? Well, humans greet each other with handshakes, hugs, and kisses, but cats’ way of greeting humans is by wrapping their tails around people or intertwining their tails with other cats.
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It’s yet another way cats show affection and they want to interact with you. They’re also rubbing their scent around you. Don’t be surprised if you hear purring when it happens.
When Your Cat Gives You Big Eyes
When cats’ eyes get big, they look super cute, but it relates to one of the ways they comminate. Cats communicate with their eyelids, specifically how open or closed they are and how dilated their pupils are.
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So, when your cat gives you big eyes, it’s a result of dilated pupils, which come from sudden arousal fear, interest, or other strong emotions. Now’s the perfect time to play with your cat with a laser or use catnip.
When Cats Hold Their Tails Low
Cats’ tail positions provide lots of insight into how they’re feeling and as a way to communicate. When a cat lowers its tail below the level of its back, it means they’re frightened or anxious.
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Now’s the time to watch out as a lower tail can be a sign of aggression! Additionally, if its tail is between its legs, they’re scared or it may be in pain.
What Love Bites Mean
While biting is usually seen as a negative behavior, with cats it can be a sign of affection. Love bites or love nibbles happen when your cat playfully nibbles you and it’s showing you affection.
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This type of biting differs from aggressive biting because it’s not painful and it doesn’t cause harm. In some cases, love bites can even be ticklish. They can even be a sign that the cat is done with the interaction, so it’s best to stop petting them.
When Your Cat Sticks Its Tail Up Straight
Unlike when a cat’s tail is low, which is a sign of aggression when a cat’s tail is sticking up straight, it means it’s feeling social, confident, and friendly. It’s how kittens greet their mothers.
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If your cat comes near you with its tail held up high, it’s looking for attention and interaction. It’s your cat’s way of greeting you. This is a great time to play and pet your cat.
Why Your Cat Opens Its Mouth
Have you noticed your cat standing in front of you with its mouth wide open? What’s that all about? Well, it relates to behavior that it shares with undomesticated cats called flehmen, which describes curling the upper lip.
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Cats keep their mouth open to help them explore their surroundings. After they notice an interesting scent, they open their mouths to try and figure out what it is, wrinkling their nose and upper lip back. It’s a pretty funny face.
