In Case You've Ever Asked Yourself, "Why Is My Cat So Weird?"
Our feline friends are weird and wonderful beings. We love their stubborn independence, ominous stares, and random sprints around the house. As strange as their behaviors seem, many of them have a function in their little cat brains, although they may not even be conscious of them themselves. Their behaviors stem from wild instincts, passed on through generations of ancestors who fended for themselves, hunting and dodging predators. Here are 20 of the most common ones, explained.
1. Zoomies
Zoomies are sudden, energetic bursts that cats often experience before bedtime. They are their way of releasing their pent-up energy after spending too much time sitting or lying around.
2. Sitting In Boxes
Anyone who has a cat is probably familiar with their weird fixation on boxes. Anytime you have an Amazon order delivered, your cat starts eying the box. This is because being in an enclosed space makes your cat feel safe and secure, a leftover instinct from being in the wild.
3. Kneading
Your cat's kneading or "making dough" is leftover from when they were a kitten, kneading their mother's teats to stimulate milk flow. If they knead you, it means they feel content. They also release their scent through the pads of their paws, which is also their way of saying, "You're mine."
4. Slow Blinking
Have you ever noticed your cat closing and opening their eyes slowly in your direction? This is a sign of affection and that they feel completely comfortable with you. You can blink slowly back to them to let them know you love them, too.
5. Staring
Have you ever noticed your cat creepily staring into a corner, seemingly fixated on something you can't see? A recent study found that cats may be able to see ultraviolet light, allowing them to pick up on certain colors and patterns we can't see.
6. Head Butting
If your cat head butts you, it just means they love you. It's their way of getting their scent on you, claiming you as their own. They also may rub their body on you for the same effect.
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7. Playing With Food
Has your cat ever taken the food you so lovingly poured into their bowl and batted it around with their paws like it's a toy? This is just your domestic cat's natural hunting instinct rearing its head.
8. Rolling
If you see your cat rolling around on the floor, exposing their belly to you, it's their way of saying they trusts you. This is their most vulnerable position, so by assuming it, they're telling you how safe and content they feel.
9. Bringing Gifts
Cats often bring their humans dead mice or birds from their latest hunt. Although it's kind of gross to us, it's just their way of saying thank you, so try not to offend them by turning up your nose.
10. Drinking From The Tap
Does your cat seem to have a preference for running water from the faucet over their water bowls? In the wild, cats prefer running water from streams over still puddles because there's less chance of it containing bacteria and diseases.
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11. Ignoring You
If your cat is ignoring you, don't be offended. Cats are naturally independent and enjoy periods of solitude. If they seem to be pretending you don't exist, it's just because they want a little alone time.
12. Showing Its Butt
Does your cat ever raise its tail and put its butt right in your face? This is good news. It's a cat's way of inviting a hello butt sniff, similar to how humans give a greeting hug or kiss on the cheek.
13. Burrying Excrement
If you've noticed your cat burying their poop in their litter box, it's to hide the scent of their excrement from predators. This litter box etiquette is also likely a way of keeping their environment tidy, as cats are naturally clean animals.
14. Covering Food
If your cat scratches around their food bowl or tries to cover up their food with other objects after eating some of it, it's a leftover instinct from their hunting days. When cats hunt, they need to hide their kill from others who might feel inclined to steal a bite.
15. Eating Grass
Although cats are carnivores, they commonly eat green stuff like plants, leaves, and grass to get the trace nutrients they may be lacking in their store-bought food. In the wild, they'd be getting this stuff from the organ meats of their prey.
16. Sneering
Have you noticed your cat sneering? The technical term is flehmen response. They're not disgruntled at something, they're simply picking up on pheromones left by other cats.
17. Winking
Just like humans, cats wink at people they like. Similar to the slow blink, your cat might wink at you or other cats to show affection.
18. Sitting On Your Keyboard
If you've ever tried to get work done at home with a cat, you've probably experienced the challenges of having your feline friend walk all over the keyboard as you type or disrupt a video conference. This just means they're jealous of how much attention you're giving these things and not them.
19. Knocking Things Over
Cats love knocking things over and watching them break just because. They don't do it to be a menace in your life; they're just curious or bored and may want attention.
20. Licking You
If your cat has ever given you an intense kissing session, it's a good sign. Cats lick you to show affection and to get their scent on you to let you know they own you.
