Understanding Cat Behaviour – Quirky Much?

Is weird cat behaviour no stranger to your furry bestie? Don’t panic. As cat parents ourselves, we feel you. We’ve collected some info to help you with understanding cat behaviour, for just a few of the many weird and wonderful cat quirks.

You might also want to explore another of our guides too – on decoding cat body language. You’ll be an expert level pet parent in no time.

I knead you

Lying comfortably and kitty comes to cuddle? But wait, you (or the soft blankie) are being kneaded like dough now, the paws massaging the same spot repeatedly while purring. All with a glazed look in the eyes.

So why do cats knead? As kittens, cats knead the teats to release milk from their mother. Hi, mummy! As adults, they could be showing frustration or affection learnt when they were little.

Either way, they’re saying they trust you. So how about a healthy treat to eat or a lengthy pat (until puss tells you to get off them ASAP 😉)?

Tail chasing

If little Bella is running in circles after her own tail, should you be worried? Yes, if she’s biting or scratching it.

She may be bored, but she may have an infection on the tail or be experiencing hyperesthesia (which includes a tingling sensation on the tail). In which case make use of your cat insurance plan and head to the vet to get it treated.

If not, she’s just honing those hunting skills. It’s especially common in kittens who are still learning the difference between their own body and other objects around them.

On the other hand, if she’s hooked on following you everywhere… read about why my cat is following me for likely answers as to why.

Sitting in all things small

Cats have a penchant for pokey places. They like the sense of security it brings. In the cooler months, it’s also warmer to snuggle up inside something tight.

Don’t feel offended if puss chooses a scrappy, little cardboard box over the luxury cat bed you just gave her. Just lob more blankies into said bed to make it cosier or put the darned box inside the bed with good grace. She knows best, after all.

Sitting on your stuff

Book, laptop, breakfast setting… it doesn’t matter to a meower. If they want your attention, and you’re busy with something, they know to sit right in its way.

If you’re not around and they’re sitting on your stuff, they may also just want something warm. When your lap isn’t available the laptop with its gentle hum will do.

They could also be marking you as their territory, as their body releases pheromones when they feel safe and secure, and these can rub off on your possessions. Be smart – set your devices’ lock screen to activate after a short interval to avoid pussycat pocket dials and unintentional kitty sends. Or you might have a hard time explaining why you WhatsApped your mom-in-law “asl;kfjas;;ldk,cccccccccccccccc” in the middle of the night.

Staring

Only one animal can outdo the loving dog-eyed stare, and that’s a cat. Unsettling as it may be, kitty is just using you to practise on when she sits (or crouches) and stares unstintingly and unblinkingly into your eyes.

The ability to lock their gaze is tremendously useful for tracking fast-moving, fidgety prey, like mice and is a natural cat skill. It doesn’t mean she’s definitely going to lunge at you but keep a careful distance just in case.

Cats are complex and intelligent and can be unpredictable. But we don’t have to tell you that.

Dead things for you

Well, we hope it’s dead. If you’ve ever found a crunched cockroach or squished rat on your pillow and a pussycat sitting near it looking at you expectantly and lovingly, you know what it’s like to receive unwanted gifts.

Cats are, despite what some might say, very generous creatures. They’ll bring excess kills home to the colony.

If you don’t want it to happen again, don’t react. Acknowledging it with voice gives your cat incentive to repeat the act, and shouting confuses and upsets them. Wait a while and then remove the offending kill when kitty is out of the room.

What about dogs?

Now you have a better understanding of cat behaviour, do you want to know why dogs bark? Read our article here.

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