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Purring<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Purring is something that pretty much every single cat does, but interestingly we know less about why cats make this noise<\/a> compared with other noises they\u2019re famous for (like hissing or chirping<\/a>). The reality is that purring has many different meanings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCats often purr when they\u2019re feeling relaxed, but they may also purr to self-soothe if they are feeling stressed or are injured,\u201d says JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM, a veterinarian based in Atlanta. \u201cWhen kittens are born, mama cats purr, creating a vibration to guide kittens to mom\u2019s nipple to nurse. Cats will also purr to socialize with other cats and communicate with their owners that they want something.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s an all-too-familiar scenario: Your sweet Max stretches out and shows off his fuzzy belly, which makes you want to reach out and give him a little pat or affectionate scritch. Only this is met with a rescinded offer\u2014perhaps even a batting of the paw or a light bite. Strange cat behavior, indeed!<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhen cats expose their bellies to us, they are saying they trust us. But when we take them up on this \u2018offer\u2019 by rubbing their bellies, they may retract it with a bite or a scratch, as it was only meant as a form of communication,\u201d explains Sam Meisler, DVM, a veterinarian and founder of PetWellClinic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you establish even more trust you may be able to go in for the pets without reprimand, but be gentle and keep in mind this is a physical expression of trust more than it is an invitation. You may not recognize these subtle ways that your cat is showing affection.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n When a cat \u201cwags\u201d its tail<\/a>, it\u2019s not the same joyful response you get with a happy dog wag. In fact, it may mean the opposite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cA cat tail wag can be more of a warning,\u201d notes Evelyn Kass, DVM, a veterinarian with Pet Nutrition Doctor. \u201cThe tail wag is a sign of heightened excitement, annoyance, or frustration. The thrashing tail generally means \u2018stop what you are doing or I am going to get angry and might bite you<\/a>.’\u201d She adds that when the tip of the tail is wagging, it is often a sign your cat is ready to pounce on their favorite toy, or perhaps on your leg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You might have noticed that your cat loves napping and seemingly sleeps all the time<\/a>. \u201cGenerally, this trait has developed as an evolutionary advantage so that they can conserve energy for hunting. Of course, the domestic cat does not need to hunt, however the genetics are still there,\u201d explains Dr. Meisler. \u201cAnd they do like to sleep in warm areas. Keep in mind that a cat\u2019s basal temperature is higher than ours by at least a couple of degrees.\u201d That helps explains why they like to soak up the sun or sleep on warm surfaces, like your laptop<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to purring and meowing, another common cat noise is chirping<\/a>. You might find your cat chirping as it stares out the window at a bird or when it greets a fellow feline. A cat\u2019s chirp tends to mean one of two things: Its hunting instincts are activated as it spies a bird, bug, mouse, or toy. Likely this type of chirping is accompanied by its tail twitching back and forth and dilated pupils. Or, a cat may also chirp when it\u2019s excited to see someone, be it a fellow cat\u2026or you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to being active at dusk, cats are also known for getting the zoomies at dawn. This is probably a time when you\u2019d like to get a little more sleep before your alarm goes off, but this cat behavior comes naturally, and your feline doesn\u2019t care what time your alarm is set for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re serious about curbing those early wake-up calls, start by installing blackout shades or blinds in your bedroom so the sun won\u2019t rouse your cat. Then, stick to strict feeding times: once in the morning (but not right after you rise because then they\u2019ll associate you getting out of bed with getting fed) and once shortly before you go to bed (to delay their hunger).<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019ve spent any amount of time with a cat, you\u2019ve likely seen them bat at something on a table until it falls off. Maybe it\u2019s a drinking glass or perhaps it\u2019s your phone. Though somewhat hilarious\u2014and perhaps maddening\u2014this is perfectly normal cat behavior. Dr. Kass says there are many theories about this, which include everything from boredom to attention-seeking to hunting to simply being playful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCats are naturally curious, and while dogs explore their environment with their mouths, cats are more likely to explore by touching and pushing an object with their paws,\u201d says Dr. Kass. \u201cThey respond to the outcomes too. If something rolls, it may become prey \u2018running away\u2019 and they will chase. If you suddenly stop what you\u2019re doing to run to your cat, there is a reward that can be tested over and over and over again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Just like you clip and file your nails so they don\u2019t interfere with typing or other daily activities, cats must maintain their claws. Scratching\u2014which is a deeply ingrained behavior in cats\u2014is one way they do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are also some other explanations as to why cats scratch. One is that they\u2019re marking their territory. Cats have scent glands on their paws, and releasing the odor essentially allows them to \u201cmark\u201d objects as their own. Other reasons include releasing energy or excitement, and simply because scratching is fun and feels good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The best solution to keeping your cat from scratching your furniture is to give them something even better to scratch on, like a pad or cat tower. Rub it with a little catnip and give them a treat whenever they use it to encourage the behavior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another cat behavior you may have noticed is your pet licking you<\/a> with its rough tongue. They do this for a few reasons, notes Dr. Pendergrass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cA cat will lick their humans to show care and affection. When your cat licks you, they are creating a special social bond with you,\u201d she says. \u201cThis licking behavior stems from kittenhood, when a mama cat licks her kittens to groom and show affection.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Along with licking you, cats tend to lick themselves\u2014a lot! This is because they\u2019re self-cleaning creatures, and their grooming habits are quite impressive. Cats are born with the essential grooming tools: paws, a rough, barbed tongue, and saliva. This means you don\u2019t need to worry about routine baths and grooming in the same way you do for a dog. Only in rare cases do cats need a bath. If you find yourself in that predicament, here\u2019s how to do it without getting scratched<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019re sitting there minding your own business, and here comes your kitty making all sorts of weird noises and carrying an object in her mouth. If you\u2019re lucky, it\u2019s one of her favorite toys, but cats are also known to bring their humans dead bugs, rodents, and birds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYour cat may bring you a prey item\u2014such as a toy or mouse\u2014presenting it to you as a gift,\u201d says Dr. Meisler. \u201cThis is your cat saying you are part of their pack and they want to make sure you are well fed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Other reasons they do this could include trying to return the feeding favor for keeping their kibble bowls full, imitating what their mama cats did for them, or giving you their catch so that you can store it for later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Scientists have identified more than a dozen different meows<\/a> that cats make, each with its own meaning. In general, kittens use meows to communicate with their moms, but grown cats employ them solely to communicate with humans. Cats also use hisses, growls, squeals, and other sounds to talk to each other. More perceptive owners can probably tell a cat\u2019s \u201cI\u2019m hungry\u201d meow from its \u201cI\u2019m bored,\u201d or discern \u201cI\u2019m hurt\u201d from \u201cI\u2019m scared.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some cat breeds are chattier than others, but if your cat goes from not-that-frequent to frequent talking, it could be a sign that something\u2019s off. A vet visit can help you figure out the issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cats are playful creatures, and they\u2019re especially drawn to things like ribbon, string, and cords. It\u2019s not that they\u2019re trying to be destructive or dangerous\u2014it\u2019s just that the cords are so accessible. Stow away the ones you\u2019re not using, and cover the remainder in cord covers (you can find these at pet stores). You can also try applying bitter apple spray<\/a> on cords, but dab it on sparingly, since consuming too much of the essential oils in it can make cats sick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your cat persists in chewing cords even after you apply the bitter apple, take him or her to the vet to rule out any dental problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cats actually prefer using litter boxes and are wired from kittenhood to \u201ccover\u201d their pee and poop, so when they do go outside the litter box, it\u2019s a sign that something isn\u2019t quite right. It could be something as simple as them not liking the location of the box or the type of litter you use. Or they may prefer it to be cleaner (just as we prefer to use a clean bathroom).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes, a cat going outside the litter box signals a medical issue, such as a urinary tract infection (UTI). Your veterinarian can take a sample of their urine to determine if there\u2019s an issue that needs to be addressed. Behavioral issues are another common reason cats don\u2019t use the litter box. This might be the result of feeling territorial with other cats or not being as mentally\/physically stimulated as they\u2019d prefer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cat kneading<\/a> goes by so many names: making biscuits, playing the piano, mashing potatoes, sleepy marching. However you refer to it, this cat behavior is downright adorable! There\u2019s a reason cats do this, and it\u2019s not just to be extra cute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis behavior is all about love and comfort,\u201d Dr. Pendergrass says. For example, a cat will knead its owner to show affection, or knead a blanket to create that perfect comfy spot to settle in for a nap. Kneading is also a self-soothing behavior for anxious kitties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You feed your cat all the yummy kibble in the world, so what\u2019s up with it eating grass<\/a>? The truth is that we don\u2019t understand it completely (the same goes for dogs eating grass), but experts have some theories. One is that they\u2019re doing it to soothe their tummy, which can help with gastrointestinal upset or even help them with hairballs. It could also be a way for them to get certain nutrients they don\u2019t have in their diet, or simply because it\u2019s a tasty snack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is one of those cat behaviors that every cat parent has seen a million times but perhaps isn\u2019t quite sure what it means. Cats often rub against objects in your home, but they\u2019ll also rub against you<\/a>. What does this mean?<\/p>\n\n\n\n They\u2019re marking their territory, Dr. Kass says, and that includes you. \u201cCats have scent glands on their face that deposit unique identifying odors on the object they rub against. When they rub against you they are affirming that you are part of their family.\u201d How cute is that?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sources:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n What is normal cat behavior? Kids may say the darndest things, but it\u2019s felines that really throw us for a loop with their odd cat behavior! From kneading on soft blankets to knocking things off tables to scratching our brand-new furniture, they tend to induce an equal amount of \u201cawws!\u201d and \u201coh no\u2019s!\u201d This cat behavior guide breaks down […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2122,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[4],"tags":[489,16,664,659,666,665,660,662,578,663,658,628,667,661,657],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wopp.in\/ns\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2078"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wopp.in\/ns\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wopp.in\/ns\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wopp.in\/ns\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wopp.in\/ns\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2078"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/wopp.in\/ns\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2078\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2124,"href":"https:\/\/wopp.in\/ns\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2078\/revisions\/2124"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wopp.in\/ns\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2122"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wopp.in\/ns\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2078"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wopp.in\/ns\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2078"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wopp.in\/ns\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2078"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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Showing its belly<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Wagging its tail<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Napping<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Chirping<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Rising early<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Knocking things over<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Scratching furniture<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Licking you<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Licking itself<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Bringing dead animals (or toys)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Meowing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Chewing cords<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Going outside the litterbox<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Kneading<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Eating grass<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Rubbing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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