Curious Cat Behaviour Finally Explained

Racing Around The House

Cat content is a cornerstone of the internet. Why do felines continue to fascinate us? It's because there's always a method to their madness!

Also known as the "zoomies", cats will occasionally break into a sprint around the room without warning.

"Scruffing"

"Scruffing" or grabbing a kitten by the skin on their neck is a harmless mechanism mother cats use to get their kittens from point A to B. While it may not look gentle, it's a clever way to keep kittens safe.

Scratch That

No, your cat isn't trying to ruin your new couch on purpose. There are a few reasons why your feline feels the need to scratch your couch to pieces.

Slow Blink

Cats are notorious for not wearing their hearts on their sleeve. It can be difficult at times to tell if your cat likes you or thinks you're an annoying vending machine.

Purring

Usually induced by a good stroking session, a cat's purr is a pure and 'purrfect' way to know its content.

Cough Up Hairballs

Coughing up hairballs is an iconic cat move. Your kitty isn't dabbling in arts and crafts, instead, it's just getting rid of excess hair.

Blep

Possibly the cutest behavior on this list, a cat 'blep' refers to when a cat leaves its tongue hanging out its mouth. While this would make even the most ardent dog-lovers switch sides, cats don't do this for brownie points.

Trying To Open Doors

Cats seem to have inherited an entitlement complex from their ancient Egyptian ancestors. They still believe they reign supreme and therefore that your home is their territory. Every nook and cranny belongs to them! That's why cats can't stand closed doors.

Walking And Sitting On Whatever You're Busy With

Instead of letting you work, so you can afford to buy their food and toys, cats will walk or sit right on top of whatever you're busy with. Are they trying to tell you to take a break? Nope!

Exposing Their Stomach

Warning! Do not give your cat a tummy rub when it shows you its stomach. Repeat! Do not give your cat a tummy rub when it shows you its stomach. It's not asking for a belly rub!

Knocking Objects Off Surfaces

We've all caught our cat red-pawed after hearing our precious possessions smash to the ground. No, your cat didn't knock your expensive flower vase onto the floor out of spite. Boredom is to blame!

Hiding Droppings

An... interesting feline trait is hiding droppings in sand or foliage. While it could make for a very unhygienic game of 'find the treasure', each dropping contains a unique identifying scent belonging to the cat that...deposited them.

Not Hiding Droppings

A confident cat might leave their droppings out in the open for everyone to see and smell. It's not the most attractive cat behavior but it's purely instinctual. Since their droppings are packed with scent markers, in an act of defining their territory, cats might leave their exposed droppings around the house.

Eye Of The Cat

Getting a glimpse of your cat's eyes when fully dilated can be slightly spooky! Cats are usually on the prowl for prey when there's little light outside.

Boxed In

Ever bought your cat a fancy new toy, only to discover they're more excited by the cardboard box that it came in? You're not alone. Cats love cardboard boxes! They provide small and comfortable spaces for cats to climb into and dodge potential predators.

Back Up

There's a reason why an arched back is named the "cat pose" in yoga. To get a good stretch after a long nap, kitties will often arch their backs. Usually, though, a cat will arch its back when it feels frightened or feels the need to defend its territory.

Flehmen Grimace

The Flehmen Response refers to the face your cat makes when it stares into the distance, nose wrinkled, and mouth agape. It's the feline equivalent of the loading sign and means your cat is computing a strange scent.

"Bunting "

Getting a little head bump from your cat, or "bunting" means you're in its good books! When your cat rubs its head against you, it covers you in pheromones. This sends a signal that you are its property, which in the cat world means you're loved.

Eating Grass

Felines love to gobble up grass. It may not be appetizing to humans, but it keeps your kitty healthy!

Gory Gifts

The ideal token of appreciation from your cat may not be a dead animal left at your doorstep, but hey, it's the thought that counts!

Ghosting You

Felines are fiercely independent creatures. Sure, they love to cuddle up with their owners and have their heads scratched, but they also need some alone time to recharge. Don't we all? That's why there's no need to worry if you haven't seen your beloved kitty in a few days.

Stuck Up A Tree

Whether it's racing after prey or trying to outrun a potential predator, cats have no problem climbing up trees. Their agile bodies and sharp claws help propel them up with ease. However, in all the commotion, it's common for cats to climb a little too high and get stuck.

Water Phobic

Leave your cat out of bath time! They hate getting their fur wet so it's understandable that they claw and jump to get away from a body of water.

Water Loving

On the flip side, certain feline breeds love water! Bengals, Japanese Bobtails, and  Turkish Angoras are just some of the breeds that love to take a dip and go for a swim.

Catnip Cravings

This peculiar herb sends even the most docile of cats bouncing off the walls. Nepetalactone is to blame! It's the chemical found inside the catnip that activates the brief but bizarre response cats seem to have to it.

Following You Around

You haven't got a furry shadow, it's just your kitty following you around the house. No matter where you are, your cat will likely follow you there. It's usually because your cat just wants to hang out and play with you!

Screen Time

It's not just humans that can't keep their eyes or 'paws' off their screens, felines fall prey to electronic distraction too! The strange sounds and images flashing across the screen stimulate the same senses used to hunt quick-moving prey.

Shallow Sleep

Cats take the phrase "sleeping with one eye open" to a new level. They have the ability to sleep with their eyes half open or one eye open and one closed.

Laser Focus

Chasing a little red dot around a room may sound boring to most, but is an ideal playtime activity for cats. It ticks all the right boxes to get your feline's predator juices flowing.

Using Your Body As A Bed

Not only do you make a good companion and provider of food for your kitty, but you also make for a comfortable bed. Cats love to snooze on their humans, be it morning, noon, or night.

Cucumber Phobia

Do yourself a favor and type "cat scared of cucumber" into your search bar. Sit back and enjoy a plethora of hilarious content showing cats leaping in fear after catching sight of the vicious vegetable.

"Making Biscuits"

"Making biscuits" or kneading does not mean your cat is moonlighting as a baker. It refers to the gentle motion of pushing paws into a soft surface, usually accompanied by purring and drooling.

Landing On All Fours

No matter the height and no matter the jumping point, a cat will always land on all fours. Cats owe this life-saving skill to a "righting reflex" that kicks in the minute they're falling from a great height.

Not Loving Dogs

Dogs may be a man's best friend, but cats certainly don't share the same sentiment. Cats and dogs often have polar opposite traits which don't bode well for potential friendships. Felines, by nature,  are more solitary creatures that take time to feel comfortable around other animals.

Sleeping In The Fetus Position

It's common to find your cat fast asleep, tail wrapped around its body, and its head tucked firmly into its chest. Felines rely on this sleeping position to retain body heat while they snooze. The position also safeguards their vital organs by keeping their stomachs hidden from sight.

Playing With Their Food

Your kitty isn't trying to be rude when it plays with its food. Cats will usually play with their prey as a defense mechanism. It tires the prey out so there's less of a chance of it fighting back against the cat.  It guarantees an easy and safe mealtime for your kitty.

Shape Tape

To take part in yet another viral cat phenomenon, all you need to do is make a shape with some tape. Your cat will plonk itself right in the center of whatever you map out. Cats' eyes are built for long-distance vision and don't perform optimally when examining objects up close.

Meowing

One meow can speak a thousand words. Despite popular belief, cats do not meow to one another. Instead, they reserve their meows to communicate with us. While they may be difficult for our human ears to distinguish, each meow has a unique meaning.

Chattering

If you hear your cat chattering away while staring out the window, it's not trying to start a conversation with you. Cats will make this chitter-chattering sound while watching birds perched on trees out of their reach. It can mean that your cat is excited or anxious to get a taste of its prey.

Weird Waking Hours

You may have noticed that your cat doesn't stick to your sleep schedule. While it's often thought that they are nocturnal animals, it's more accurate to refer to cats as crepuscular creatures. This is because their preferred waking hours are at dusk and dawn.

Tall Tails

Don't ignore the tell-tail signs your cat is trying to communicate with you with the swish of its tail. An upright tail with a curve on the end means your cat is happy and relaxed. A curvier tail or a tail wrapped around your legs is your feline's way of welcoming you home. Your cat is in predator mode if you see it gently swaying its tail from side to side.

Licking

While it's not socially acceptable for humans to go around licking people, cats do it all the time. It's a perfectly natural behavior that has many functions. Cats groom themselves and one another by licking as their tounges have tiny hooks that remove excess fur and dirt.

Solar Powered

Felines love a good sun session. Cats are built to thrive in hot climates and need to keep a toasty temperature at all times to feel content. While it may seem strange to see your furry friend lying in the sun for hours, it's an easy way to recharge their batteries and get some much-needed warmth and energy back into their bodies.

Wiggle And Pounce

Felines are ferocious hunters. They silently stalk their prey and when the moment is right, they pounce! You may have noticed that your cat does a little wiggle right before the jump. It certainly provides some comedic relief in this predatory practice, but it also serves an important function.

High Heights

Have trouble finding your cat? Look up! You'll probably find it perched up high atop your cupboard or shelf. The higher up the cat is, the better vantage point it'll have. Cats feel most comfortable when they can survey their environment and it's best to do so from the highest point in the room.

Cat Loaf

When all paws are tucked neatly under its belly, a cat's loaf position has officially commenced. Besides looking adorable, felines love to lie in the loaf position for a few reasons. By keeping its paws underneath its body, your cat prevents unnecessary heat loss through its extremities. The loaf position also keeps your cat's vital organs safe and sound since it entails lying on their stomach.

Squeezing Through Holes

Ever wonder how cats manage to squeeze through small tunnels and holes without a care in the world? It's all in the whiskers!

Nail Biting

Like humans, felines have a tendency to bite their nails. Since their nails are made up of layers, the oldest layer needs to be removed every so often to allow the cat's claws to perform at their best. It also helps to remove any excess dirt and bacteria collected underneath the nails. Biting and pulling out their nails is a normal part of the grooming process.

All Ears

Paying attention to how your kitty's ears are twitching around can tell you a great deal about what it's feeling or thinking. A huge factor in cats' predatory status is their keen sense of hearing. Not only are they able to pick up sounds across far distances, but they use their exceptionally flexible muscles to twitch and turn their ears to find the exact location of their prey.

Love Bites

A soft nibble from your kitty should not be taken as an aggressive act! Sure, it can hurt a little but it's their way of showing you love. It's learned behavior from kitten-hood when mother cats would groom their babies with licks and nibbles. It's also how cats play with one another, so if you get a little nibble, it may mean that it sees you as a companion to play with.