Demystifying Cat Behavior

Why does your kitty do the things that he or she does? While animal behavioral scientists have yet to uncover the hidden meanings behind all cat behaviors, they do have an understanding about some of the basics. Here are some things that your cat may be trying to tell you with his or her behaviors:

– Dumping Out Food. If your cat likes to put his or her food on the floor prior to eating, he or she may not like the feeling of the bowl pressing against his or her whiskers. Cats may also do this in order to break larger bits of food up into smaller ones for easier chewing.

– Purring. Many people think that purring means that a cat is happy, but that’s not always the case. Often times, purring is a sign of contentment, but cats may also purr if they are hurting or in distress. Mother cats even purr when they’re in the middle of labor, and kittens seem to use purring to tell their moms that they are not hungry.

– Rubbing. Cats have special glands along their mouth, their temples and the bases of their tails. With these glands, they can leave behind a scent that is unique to them. When your cat rubs on you or an object, he or she is marking territory in hopes of keeping other cats away.

– Scratching. Cats scratch to keep their claws in good repair. It is also another way of marking their territory.

– Standing on Hind Legs. If your cat stands up on its hind legs when it sees you, it is likely attempting to reach your face to give you a rub. This is because cats tend to greet one another by rubbing faces.

– Tail Wagging. Cats’ tails are very expressive. When they move back and forth, your cat may be feeling uncertain. Cats’ tails may also swish rapidly when they are angry or annoyed.