Why Did My Cat Do That?

Cat and kitten behaviors can be a little hard to understand sometimes, but they are very interesting whether you are interacting with them or just watching them. Many of these behaviors also have important meanings, so it is useful for the cat owner to get familiar with and understand some of these behaviors. Some of the most common and significant behaviors that cats and kittens display are explained below.

When a cat approaches a person while holding its tail straight up like a pole, it is a sign of friendly trust. When a cat flicks its upright tail at you while standing or walking, it is also meant to convey friendliness and greetings. In another variation, the tail is up but undulating (wavelike movement), and this possibly suggests that the cat has mildly conflicting emotions towards you or something in the environment.

When a kitten or cat rubs its head on a person, it is called bunting. The cat deposits a small amount of pheromone (a harmless chemical secreted by some animals) from scent glands just in front of the ears. Sharing this communicates, "We're part of the same family, and I want to be close to you." A cat may also bump you with the front part of its head, this is known as head bonks, and it is also a friendly and affectionate gesture. However, despite the common misconception, cats are not really showing great love when they rub against you with the back of their head and the rest of their body. It´s just cat instinct to mark you with their scent - they are actually claiming you as their territory.

Perhaps the highest compliment a feline can pay to a human is to flop. A cat flopping over on its side is demonstrating a very level of high bonding and trust with its human companion because it exposing its soft and vulnerable underbelly. However, a cat completely on its back and exposing its entire underside is not being submissive, but is preparing for battle. This is because by completely rolling onto its back, the cat can then make full use of its natural weapons by exposing its claws on all four feet as well as its teeth. This is a cat's ultimate defensive-aggressive posture and is sometimes seen in very engaged catfights.

You may have seen a cat or kitten play by crouching or flattening itself to the floor, twitching its tail, walking very slowly forward, and then suddenly pouncing onto a cat toy or other object it has been watching for a while. These games prepare a kitten to hunt for a living, while a grown cat will play these games to practice its hunting skills. Indeed, cats are naturally skillful hunters. In the wild, the goal is a sudden attack from above and behind, landing with a killing bite on the back of the prey animal's neck. Thus, at home you will see that kittens and cats are both very easily induced to play hunting games, and kittens especially may spend many hours playing these games.

Felines in the wild will also often play with their live, captured prey by batting it around with their paws for a while, in order to try to learn the escape moves of their prey. At home, you will often see domestic kittens and cats exhibiting the same behavior with a cat toy, or even with a piece of paper, which is of course quite harmless.

Cats love to scratch. They do this to stretch and exercise their muscles, keep healthy nails, unwind from stress, and for many other reasons. Now, scratched furniture does not have to automatically occur when one keeps a cat. However, until taught otherwise, cats will scratch whatever feels good, whenever they feel like it. Provide at least one scratching post for each cat or kitten you have. If you notice your cat or kitten scratching inappropriately, gently pick it up and redirect it to the closest post. You can also try applying catnip to the post and scratch it yourself with your nails to demonstrate.

Cats also like heights and climbing. You can provide a tall cat tree to give the cat an alternative place to jump, climb, and play if you would like them to stay off bookshelves and other furniture. It is also a good idea to have plenty of cat toys available, and redirect your kitten or cat to play with those toys. The kitten that has good toys to play and exercise with, and that receives praise for proper play and behavior, will more likely grow into an adult cat that plays and behaves properly.

A cat is most likely angry or afraid if it displays flattened ears, wide open eyes, a lashing tail or a straightened tail with bristled fur, and agitated meows that turn into growling, snarling, hissing or sometimes even spitting. This display is called fear-induced or defensive aggression. A severely angry or frightened cat needs to be left alone - give it some time to cool off and calm down. A cat that is terrified is not thinking clearly and may view any attempts to comfort it as a threat.

Never punish a kitten or cat for aggressive behavior! Cats do not learn from any of the kinds of punishment or rebuke that one might use with dogs or children. Instead of changing the misbehavior, the cat is more likely to become afraid of you permanently - severely damaging your relationship with your cat, and it will become even more aggressive in the future. The fear-induced or defensive aggression mentioned in the previous paragraph will be a cat's natural reaction to punishment, especially physical punishment. Understanding your cat's behaviors and providing it with good toys, treats, praise, and essential accessories such as a scratching post will help ensure a happy, healthy, and well-behaved cat.

There is also a more detailed article on the subject of cat scratching posts on the Pet World facts page which you may find useful. Click here to get to it. If you have any questions regarding cat and kitten behaviors, just ask us and we will help you any way we can.

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