Does your cat do things that you don’t understand, leaving you wondering if your cat is a bit nutty? Well, chances are good that your cat is normal and its behavior is probably very similar to other cats. Here are answers to some of the questions people have about their feline friends.
Why do cats like to kill things?
Although evidence of a cat – human relationship can be traced back to about 9500 years ago, the best evidence of domestication of cats date back to about 4000 years ago in Egypt. It may seem like a long time, but this is relatively recent especially when compared to dogs and horses. Therefore, cats retain many of the characteristics of their feral ancestors and cousins, including their prey drive. Although you may provide food for your cat, the prey drive still remains. Some of them also just get a kick out of playing with their moving “toys”.
Why do cats seem to torture their prey?
Partly out of fun because they are attracted to things that move, but also to protect themselves. Because a cat’s eye is designed to be highly efficient in dimly lit places, it gives up the ability to see objects clearly when they are up close. To ensure that the cat won’t get injured by the prey fighting back, it has to make sure that it is dead.
Why does my cat bring me its prey?
The jury is out on this one, but it could be that your cat is bringing you a present, it wants to eat its prize around you where it feels comfortable, or it wants you to learn how to finish off a kill like a mother would teach its kittens.
Why do cats go crazy at night?
Cats have traits that allow them to travel and hunt efficiently at night. So, especially if you have an outdoor cat, chances are they will be more active at night because they have an advantage over their prey and are less likely to be seen by anything they perceive as an enemy.
Why do cats swat people after purring and nuzzling when they are petted?
It’s believed that the nerves on a cat’s skin can become overly stimulated by being petted, but there could also be a build up of static. So, what feels good at first can suddenly become uncomfortable. In order to avoid being swatted, pay attention to your cat’s tail when you are petting it. If it resembles a flag on a flag pole (upright with the tip folded over), you’re probably safe. But the moment you see the tail start to flicker, your sweet kitty is warning you that its time for you to quit.
Why do cats lie in their litter boxes when they are scared?
Many cats see their litter box as a safe haven because they can eliminate there without being bothered. If you are keeping the litter box in a closet or somewhere that is relatively hidden and not out in the open, then it’s a great place to hide from whatever stimuli is stressing them out. Sometimes cats will also lie in their litter box when they are ill or in pain and have to eliminate frequently so it’s best to check with your vet if you think your cat isn’t feeling well.
Why do cats scratch furniture?
Cats like to scratch things to not only to give themselves a manicure, but also to stretch and leave their scent. Without an appropriate place for your cat to scratch, you may find your furniture as the victim. Some cats will stretch and scratch on the carpet, but many find a standing object very conducive to their needs. Some cats have a specific preference for the type of material they scratch, so keep this in mind when choosing a scratching post. The most popular materials tend to be cardboard and carpet.
Why do cats “knead”?
When a cat begins gently pressing its paws on you (similar to someone kneading dough), it’s most likely trying to show you that it’s content or to get some nurturing from you. This can stem from when the cat was a kitten and would use this action on their mothers to show contentment or to stimulate the flow of milk during feeding time.
Why do some cats refuse to drink out of the water bowl next to their food bowl?
Theories abound, but one possible reason could be that the cat doesn’t think the water is fresh. This could be because a piece of food fell in the water before and the cat has a bad connotation of it, or the smell of the food could interfere with the water. Another reason could be your cat doesn’t like the material the water dish is made of. Also, a lot of cats are attracted to running water as a fresh water source, so it’s not uncommon for a cat to prefer to drink out of the faucet or a toilet instead of a bowl. Some cats also prefer not to stick their head down into the bowl and instead prefer drink from a filled glass.
Why do cats eat grass and plants?
There are different theories, but it seems that a lot of cats will eat grass and plants when they need to regurgitate, especially if they have a hairball. While some cats may also eat grass and plants because they like the taste of it or because of the nutrients in plants, they usually can’t digest it. Even though it may be indigestible, there are many plants that are toxic to cats so it’s a good idea to know what plants are in your cat’s environment.
Be sure to check back at a later date for more questions about cat behavior.
Why do cats like to kill things?
Although evidence of a cat – human relationship can be traced back to about 9500 years ago, the best evidence of domestication of cats date back to about 4000 years ago in Egypt. It may seem like a long time, but this is relatively recent especially when compared to dogs and horses. Therefore, cats retain many of the characteristics of their feral ancestors and cousins, including their prey drive. Although you may provide food for your cat, the prey drive still remains. Some of them also just get a kick out of playing with their moving “toys”.
Why do cats seem to torture their prey?
Partly out of fun because they are attracted to things that move, but also to protect themselves. Because a cat’s eye is designed to be highly efficient in dimly lit places, it gives up the ability to see objects clearly when they are up close. To ensure that the cat won’t get injured by the prey fighting back, it has to make sure that it is dead.
Why does my cat bring me its prey?
The jury is out on this one, but it could be that your cat is bringing you a present, it wants to eat its prize around you where it feels comfortable, or it wants you to learn how to finish off a kill like a mother would teach its kittens.
Why do cats go crazy at night?
Cats have traits that allow them to travel and hunt efficiently at night. So, especially if you have an outdoor cat, chances are they will be more active at night because they have an advantage over their prey and are less likely to be seen by anything they perceive as an enemy.
Why do cats swat people after purring and nuzzling when they are petted?
It’s believed that the nerves on a cat’s skin can become overly stimulated by being petted, but there could also be a build up of static. So, what feels good at first can suddenly become uncomfortable. In order to avoid being swatted, pay attention to your cat’s tail when you are petting it. If it resembles a flag on a flag pole (upright with the tip folded over), you’re probably safe. But the moment you see the tail start to flicker, your sweet kitty is warning you that its time for you to quit.
Why do cats lie in their litter boxes when they are scared?
Many cats see their litter box as a safe haven because they can eliminate there without being bothered. If you are keeping the litter box in a closet or somewhere that is relatively hidden and not out in the open, then it’s a great place to hide from whatever stimuli is stressing them out. Sometimes cats will also lie in their litter box when they are ill or in pain and have to eliminate frequently so it’s best to check with your vet if you think your cat isn’t feeling well.
Why do cats scratch furniture?
Cats like to scratch things to not only to give themselves a manicure, but also to stretch and leave their scent. Without an appropriate place for your cat to scratch, you may find your furniture as the victim. Some cats will stretch and scratch on the carpet, but many find a standing object very conducive to their needs. Some cats have a specific preference for the type of material they scratch, so keep this in mind when choosing a scratching post. The most popular materials tend to be cardboard and carpet.
Why do cats “knead”?
When a cat begins gently pressing its paws on you (similar to someone kneading dough), it’s most likely trying to show you that it’s content or to get some nurturing from you. This can stem from when the cat was a kitten and would use this action on their mothers to show contentment or to stimulate the flow of milk during feeding time.
Why do some cats refuse to drink out of the water bowl next to their food bowl?
Theories abound, but one possible reason could be that the cat doesn’t think the water is fresh. This could be because a piece of food fell in the water before and the cat has a bad connotation of it, or the smell of the food could interfere with the water. Another reason could be your cat doesn’t like the material the water dish is made of. Also, a lot of cats are attracted to running water as a fresh water source, so it’s not uncommon for a cat to prefer to drink out of the faucet or a toilet instead of a bowl. Some cats also prefer not to stick their head down into the bowl and instead prefer drink from a filled glass.
Why do cats eat grass and plants?
There are different theories, but it seems that a lot of cats will eat grass and plants when they need to regurgitate, especially if they have a hairball. While some cats may also eat grass and plants because they like the taste of it or because of the nutrients in plants, they usually can’t digest it. Even though it may be indigestible, there are many plants that are toxic to cats so it’s a good idea to know what plants are in your cat’s environment.
Be sure to check back at a later date for more questions about cat behavior.
